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Nigeria

Nigeria's state assemblies back state police constitutional amendment

Approval by 28 state assemblies clears the threshold for a constitutional change that would let states establish their own police forces, a shift in national security governance.

Photo: USAfricaLive

What happened

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment. USAfricaLive+1 The approvals exceed the minimum of 24 required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which calls for at least two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies. USAfricaLive+1 The amendment is contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, and would create both federal and state police services. USAfricaLive+1 The bill had already passed both chambers of the National Assembly and was sent to state assemblies on 16 September. USAfricaLive The National Assembly is preparing to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. USAfricaLive

Around it

The House of Representatives has also advanced a bill that would impose penalties on medical facilities that refuse or delay emergency treatment. USAfricaLive An opinion piece in ThisDay argues that safeguards are needed to prevent state governments from misusing state police against opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election. thisdaylive.com

What comes next

The National Assembly is preparing to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. USAfricaLive

Sources

  1. USAfricaLiveNigerian House of Representatives Advances State Police Bill with 28 Assemblies' Approval
  2. allafrica.comNigeria: Nass Roundup, State Police, Emergency Care, Abuja Rent, Other Stories From House of Reps
  3. thisdaylive.comSafeguarding State Police Against Govs’ Abuse

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