Nigeria’s long push for State Police has taken a giant leap as 24 State Houses of Assembly have approved the constitution alteration bill, meeting the constitutional threshold required to create state police.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill announced the breakthrough on Friday in Abuja, describing it as a defining moment in the reform of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the endorsement by 24 states means the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for onward transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
“In line with Section 9 of the Constitution, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to Mr President for assent,” Gbajabiamila said.
He commended the state legislatures for backing the reform and the National Assembly for securing passage of the amendment in both chambers.
The states that have approved are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Draft Policing Bill Ready October 30
The Working Group explained that once completed, the amendment will provide the legal foundation for a dual policing system where federal and state police will operate within clearly defined constitutional boundaries.
It said work on the accompanying legislation is on track. The draft National Policing Bill and 29 consequential bills are currently undergoing legislative drafting, review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry is expected to return the bills on or before October 30, 2026, after which the Working Group will give them final consideration before presenting to the President.
“The Working Group’s efforts remain on track. The draft Bills are currently undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and are expected to be returned on or before Friday, 30th October 2026,” Gbajabiamila added.
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Sanwo-Olu: We Will Have State Police Before Q1 2027
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the new policing system may take off before the end of this year or first quarter of 2027.
Speaking in Ikeja at the unveiling of the Kessington Adebutu Security Trust Fund building, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos is excited and ready.
“Possibly before the end of the year, or maybe in the first quarter next year, we will now have state police in every one of our states,” he said.
“We’re excited, we’re looking forward to the formation of the state police because we believe that it’s long overdue.”
He said the Trust Fund would play a bigger role in funding, logistics and operational support, assuring that Lagos will have the best state police in the country by statute, numbers and support.
Sanwo-Olu also assured serving police officers that state police is not a threat to their jobs, saying government will ensure no disruption or fear of job loss.
