Nigeria Transmits State Police Bill to 36 State Assemblies

The National Assembly of Nigeria transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the Houses of Assembly of all 36 states on September 16, 2026. The bill focuses on the establishment of state police, which is currently the only reform in the broader constitutional review to secure approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, the bill requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state legislatures—a minimum of 24 states—to proceed. While the National Assembly requested that states communicate their resolutions within 30 days to ensure a timely conclusion, officials clarified that this timeframe is an administrative request rather than a constitutional deadline.

Other proposed reforms, including judicial reforms and local government autonomy, remain at earlier legislative stages and were not included in this transmission. Senate leadership and committee officials have assured the public that these amendments will be completed before the 10th National Assembly expires in June 2027, despite potential distractions from the 2027 general election preparations.