NASS to transmit state police bill to Tinubu as 28 states endorse constitutional amendment

The National Assembly says it will send the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services to President Bola Tinubu for assent after 28 state Houses of Assembly approved it, surpassing the required minimum of 24.

Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly, announced the development in a signed statement on Tuesday. He said his office had received and verified reports from the 28 state assemblies approving the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill.

The clerk sent the bill to all 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026, asking them to consider it and communicate their decisions within 30 days. Ogunlana said the deadline elapsed on October 15, but his office would continue to accept reports until the bill was transmitted for assent.

“This represents more than the constitutionally prescribed threshold of not less than two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, equivalent to 24 States, as required under Section 9 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,” he said.

The clerk’s office reviewed the reports alongside the accompanying votes and proceedings to confirm their authenticity and ensure they accurately reflected the decisions of the respective state assemblies.

Ogunlana also clarified that Section 9 of the Constitution does not expressly require a third reading for a constitutional amendment bill, unlike the procedure for ordinary bills. With the required state approvals secured, the National Assembly said it was completing the administrative steps needed to send the bill to Tinubu for assent in accordance with the Acts Authentication Act.

The National Assembly thanked the state legislatures for their cooperation and timely responses, describing the proposed amendment as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security arrangements and deepening its federal system. The clerk’s office said it would continue to provide updates as the amendment process progressed.