Historic milestone opens path for multi-tier policing in Nigeria as Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill crosses crucial legislative milestone across state assemblies.
ABUJA, Nigeria — The proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria has crossed a decisive legislative hurdle, with 24 state Houses of Assembly formally endorsing the bill to meet the required two-thirds threshold under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The approval of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026—which was transmitted by the National Assembly to the 36 state legislatures on September 16—paves the way for the establishment of decentralised, state-level law enforcement structures alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force. The momentum culminated following Thursday’s unanimous endorsement by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, joining 14 southern and 10 northern states in voting for the proposal.
Under Section 9 of the Constitution, any alteration to the fundamental law requires approval from at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures before the concurred provisions can be returned to the National Assembly for formal enrollment and subsequent transmission for presidential assent.
The 24 approving states include Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Zamfara, and Kaduna, among others, while 12 states—including Lagos, Ondo, Ebonyi, Kogi, Niger, Borno, and Gombe—have yet to conclude deliberations or transmit their positions.
Securing the mandatory two-thirds concurrence marks the most significant structural reform to Nigeria’s national security architecture since the return to civil rule in 1999. Proponents argue that multi-tiered policing will address internal security vulnerabilities, enhance intelligence gathering, and empower state governors to act decisively against localized criminal activities.
Across the South-East geopolitical zone, where state assemblies in Enugu, Anambra, Abia, and Imo backed the bill, political leaders and traditional institutions have welcomed the development as a major breakthrough for regional security. Stakeholders note that decentralized policing will provide statutory backing to local vigilante groups, forest guards, and regional security initiatives, enabling stronger coordination across agricultural belts and urban centers in Nsukka, Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, and Abakaliki.
Following the concurrence, the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives is expected to receive the official certificates of resolution from state assemblies to facilitate final harmonization and presentation for presidential assent
