The proposed establishment of State Police in Nigeria has moved closer to becoming law following approval of the constitutional amendment bill by 28 State Houses of Assembly, paving the way for its transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed that the approvals had been received and verified, confirming that the bill had secured the required two-thirds support from the 36 state legislatures.

The development marks a significant stage in the legislative process to establish State Police Services as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and decentralise policing.

According to Ogunlana, the National Assembly has begun the process of preparing the amendment for transmission to President Tinubu for presidential assent.

The bill was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, with a 30-day deadline for the state legislatures to consider and communicate their positions.

However, the Clerk said his office would continue to receive reports from states yet to submit their decisions until the amendment is formally transmitted to the President.

The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to create a legal framework for State Police Services, potentially giving state governments a formal role in policing and responding to security challenges within their jurisdictions.

The proposal is part of wider efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing structure, which currently operates primarily through the Nigeria Police Force under the Federal Government.

Supporters of decentralised policing have argued that allowing states to establish their own police services could improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and make security responses more responsive to local threats.

However, the implementation of State Police will require constitutional provisions and an operational framework defining the powers, responsibilities and oversight mechanisms governing the proposed services.

With 28 state assemblies having approved the amendment, attention is now turning to the National Assembly’s next steps and the eventual consideration of the bill by President Tinubu.