24 State Assemblies Reportedly Back State Police Amendment, Clearing Constitutional Threshold

By: Tunji Okunlola

Twenty-four State Houses of Assembly have reportedly approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, a key step toward a dual policing structure in Nigeria.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill announced this in a statement on Friday. It said the approvals meet the constitutional requirement of backing from at least two-thirds of the country’s 36 state assemblies. The group is chaired by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. It thanked the state legislatures for their support and the National Assembly for passing the bill in both chambers.

What happens next

According to the statement, the amendment can now go back to the National Assembly for transmission to Tinubu for assent, in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The working group said the amendment would provide the constitutional basis for dual policing, while a separate National Policing Bill, 2026, is meant to set out how the system would operate. It said both draft bills are under legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and are expected back by 30 October 2026. The group said it would consider them on their return before presenting them to the President, and urged stakeholders to support a smooth transition, saying the reform could strengthen policing and public safety.

Lagos prepares for added costs

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for more resource mobilisation to prepare for the extra responsibilities state police would bring. He spoke on Thursday at the commissioning of a permanent office building donated to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) by philanthropist Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu.

He said a state police formation would place added demands on the fund, which raises voluntary contributions from individuals and companies to support security agencies. He urged its board and management to devise innovative funding strategies so that Lagos can equip and sustain its force once the system starts. “We need to ensure that we are creative, think outside the box and bring resources together to make sure that Lagos State has one of the best state police formations in the country,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu praised Tinubu for backing state police, calling it a chance for states to strengthen their security arrangements. He assured existing police formations that the transition would be handled collaboratively, without needless disruption or fear of job losses. He appealed to private companies, wealthy individuals and residents to contribute, saying government alone cannot carry the burden of protecting lives and property.

The Trust Fund

Sanwo-Olu recalled that the LSSTF was set up in September 2007, under then Governor Babatunde Fashola, to draw private-sector support for security operations.

Chairman Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti called the new building a milestone, noting that the fund had operated from rented premises for nearly 19 years. He said its reliance on voluntary contributions, and its independence from the state government’s day-to-day bureaucracy, had built donor confidence. About 80 per cent of board members come from the private sector, he said. The fund receives no cash subventions from the state, although the government supports it in kind and is the largest contributor to security funding in Lagos.

He said the fund has supported security agencies with operational vehicles, protective equipment, communications systems, technology and training.

Executive Secretary and CEO Dr Ayodele Ogunsan said securing a permanent office had been a priority since he took office, and credited Adebutu with committing to the project soon after being approached. He said the building was commissioned ahead of Adebutu’s 91st birthday, as the philanthropist had promised. Adebutu described the project as a contribution to protecting lives and property, preserving peace and supporting economic growth.

Government officials, security chiefs, traditional rulers, board members, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders attended.

The proposed state police system remains subject to completion of the required constitutional and legislative processes before it can take effect.