State Police Bill hits roadblock in states
Nigeria's proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police is facing delays as only four out of 36 state legislatures have approved the bill. The National Assembly is pushing for a 30-day resolution window, but many states have yet to begin the legislative process.
Why it matters
State police reform is a critical component of Nigeria's strategy to address worsening national security, and the slow legislative progress threatens to stall this major constitutional change.
Layer 1 · Edo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers approve, others drag feet
Unless something decisive happens in the next 12 days, the push for state police, widely canvassed as a response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, is facing a fresh hurdle at the state Houses of Assembly, with only four states -Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers having so far approved the proposed constitutional amendment
A panoramic view of the entire country and Sunday Vanguard’s checks show that several other state legislatures are yet to commence consideration of the bill, while some have said they are still awaiting its transmission from the National Assembly.
The development is raising concerns over the pace of the constitutional amendment process, coming after the National Assembly transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the 36 state Houses of Assembly on September 16, seeking their concurrence.
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