The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 state assemblies have approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police across Nigeria.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday after checking reports submitted by the state legislatures.
He explained that the 28 approvals were above the constitutional requirement of 24 states, representing two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies.
He said, “Following the receipt and verification of the reports, the office confirms that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the Bill.”
The proposed amendment, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026, seeks to create State Police Services and address related matters.
Ogunlana said the bill was sent to all 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, with a 30-day deadline for their decisions. Although the deadline ended on October 15, his office will continue receiving reports until the bill is sent for presidential assent.
He added that submitted reports and Votes and Proceedings were checked to confirm their authenticity.
Earlier, Femi Gbajabiamila put the number of approving states at 24 on October 23, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele later gave a figure of about 30.
Bamidele said on October 29 that the remaining legislative steps would be completed before the amendment was sent to President Bola Tinubu by December 2026.
Ogunlana confirmed that preparations for the transmission were already underway.
The proposed system is expected to work alongside federal police to improve security amid banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence across Nigeria.
