NASS Gives 36 State Assemblies 30 Days to Respond on State Police Amendment

State police amendment has become the headline of Nigeria’s constitutional discourse as the National Assembly (NASS) hands the Sixth Alteration Bill to the 36 state houses of assembly, granting them a strict 30‑day window to approve or reject the proposal. The bill, formally titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to create a uniform state police structure that would operate alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The move, announced on 12 September 2026, has ignited a flurry of commentary from lawmakers, security experts, civil society, and ordinary citizens across the federation.

What the State Police Amendment Proposes

The core of the state police amendment is to empower each of Nigeria’s 36 states with its own police force, accountable to the respective state governor and assembly. Proponents argue that a state‑level police would enhance rapid response to local incidents, improve community policing, and reduce the burden on the overstretched NPF. The bill also outlines a framework for training, funding, and oversight, mandating that state police operate under the same constitutional safeguards as the federal force.

Key provisions include:

• Establishment of a State Police Service (SPS) in every state, with a minimum of 5,000 officers per state, subject to population and security needs.
• Funding mechanisms that combine state allocations, federal grants, and a dedicated security levy.
• Joint operational protocols to avoid jurisdictional clashes between SPS and NPF.
• Oversight by a newly created State Police Commission, comprising the governor, the speaker of the state assembly, and a civil‑society representative.

The amendment also amends Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution, which currently vests policing powers exclusively in the federal government. By inserting a clause that recognises “state police services” as a constitutional entity, the bill seeks to balance national security imperatives with sub‑national autonomy.

Why NASS Set a 30‑Day Deadline

The 30‑day timetable reflects NASS’s desire to keep the legislative process moving swiftly, avoiding the protracted delays that have plagued previous constitutional reforms. In a statement released on 13 September 2026, the Speaker of the House of Representatives said the deadline was intended to “provide a clear, time‑bound framework for deliberation, ensuring that the nation’s security architecture is not left in limbo.”

Critics, however, warn that the compressed schedule may limit thorough public consultation. Civil‑society groups such as the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have called for an extension, arguing that the amendment touches on deeply rooted issues of federalism, resource allocation, and human rights.

Reactions from the 36 State Assemblies

Since the bill’s transmission, state assemblies have responded with a mix of enthusiasm, caution, and outright opposition. In the South‑West, Lagos State Assembly moved quickly, passing a resolution in favour of the amendment, citing the city’s chronic traffic‑related crimes and the need for a specialised urban police unit. Conversely, the Assembly of the North‑East, still grappling with insurgency challenges, expressed reservations, fearing that fragmented policing could weaken coordinated counter‑terrorism efforts.

In the North‑Central, the assembly of Kaduna adopted a “conditional approval” stance, demanding clearer funding formulas and stronger oversight mechanisms before signing off. Meanwhile, the Assembly of the Niger Delta states, still sensitive to resource‑related security concerns, called for a comprehensive impact assessment to gauge how the new forces would interact with existing community vigilante groups.

Potential Impact on Security and Federal‑State Relations

If enacted, the state police amendment could reshape Nigeria’s security landscape. Advocates argue that localized forces will be better attuned to cultural nuances, language barriers, and regional crime patterns, leading to faster investigations and higher public trust. They also point to successful models in countries like the United States, where state and local police operate under a shared constitutional framework.

On the flip side, scholars caution about the risk of politicisation. A state police force under direct gubernatorial control could become a tool for political patronage, especially in states where elections are fiercely contested. Moreover, the potential for overlapping jurisdictions may create confusion during cross‑border operations, unless joint command structures are rigorously enforced.

Comparative Insights: Lessons from Ghana and South Africa

Regional neighbours offer useful case studies. Ghana, after a 2024 constitutional review, introduced a Community Policing Unit that operates under the Ghana Police Service but is funded and managed at the district level. The model has improved community engagement without fragmenting national command. South Africa, however, maintains a single national police service, but its provinces have specialised units for traffic and wildlife protection, illustrating a hybrid approach.

These examples suggest that Nigeria could adopt a blended system—granting states operational autonomy while preserving a strong central command for national threats. The success of such a hybrid will depend on clear legal definitions, robust funding, and transparent oversight.

What Citizens Should Watch For

Ordinary Nigerians will likely feel the amendment’s effects in three main ways:

1. Response times: A state police force could mean faster deployment to local incidents, especially in rural areas where NPF response has been historically slow.
2. Accountability: With state assemblies overseeing the SPS, citizens may have more direct channels to raise complaints or demand reforms.
3. Cost implications: Funding the new forces will require additional budgetary allocations, potentially affecting state spending on health, education, or infrastructure.

Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the upcoming debates in their respective assemblies, attend public hearings, and engage with civil‑society watchdogs to ensure the amendment serves the public interest.

Roadmap After the 30‑Day Window

Should the majority of state assemblies endorse the amendment within the stipulated period, the bill will return to NASS for final assent by the President. The Constitution would then be amended, and the implementation phase—recruitment, training, and deployment—could begin as early as early 2027.

If significant opposition emerges, NASS may have to revisit contentious clauses, possibly extending the deadline or convening a joint federal‑state conference to iron out disagreements. Either scenario underscores the importance of collaborative federalism in shaping Nigeria’s security future.

FAQ

• What is the state police amendment? It is a constitutional amendment that would create a police service under each of Nigeria’s 36 states, operating alongside the federal Nigeria Police Force.
• Why did NASS give a 30‑day deadline? The deadline aims to expedite deliberation and avoid indefinite delays, ensuring the security reform proceeds in a timely manner.
• How will the amendment affect funding? States will fund their police through a mix of state budgets, federal grants, and a dedicated security levy, as outlined in the bill.
• Can the amendment be rejected? Yes. Each state assembly can refuse to approve the amendment, which would halt its progress unless NASS decides to amend the bill.
• When could the new state police start operating? If the amendment is passed and receives presidential assent, operational rollout could begin in early 2027, following recruitment and training phases.

For the full text of the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, see the Vanguard News report.

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