Nigeria sends state police amendment bill to state assemblies for ratification

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA, ‌Sept 17 (Reuters) - ​Nigeria's ​parliament has sent a constitutional amendment bill that would establish state police forces to the ‌country's 36 state assemblies for ratification, advancing ⁠a key security overhaul by President Bola Tinubu as he ‌faces mounting pressure over worsening ‌insecurity ahead of January elections.

• National Assembly clerk Kamoru Ogunlana said the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which ​contains provisions for state police, has been cleared by federal lawmakers and sent to Nigeria's 36 ⁠state assemblies for consideration.

• Ogunlana said the National Assembly had asked states ​to return their resolutions within 30 days, but added that the timeframe was administrative ​and not constitutionally binding.

• The ‌bill must be approved by at least two-thirds of state assemblies, or 24 of ⁠the 36 states, before it can become law.

• Supporters say state police would improve responses to local security threats ⁠by decentralising policing powers from the federal government.

• Other constitutional ​amendment proposals still awaiting final approval include local government autonomy, independent candidacy, reserved legislative seats for women and citizenship by ‌investment.

• If ratified by the required number of state assemblies, it would be one ‌of the most sweeping changes to Nigeria's security ⁠and governance framework since ‌the country returned ​to civilian rule in 1999.

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Toby ‌Chopra)

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