Nigeria’s State Assemblies Approve Constitutional Amendment for Dual Policing System

October 26, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Nigeria has secured the support of 24 of its 36 state Houses of Assembly for a constitutional amendment paving the way for a dual policing system, clearing the two-thirds threshold required for the measure to advance towards presidential assent.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill said the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, had received the required state-level approvals following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Under Section 9 of Nigeria’s Constitution, the amendment can now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent, the working group said in a statement.

The development advances a proposed overhaul of Nigeria’s policing framework, which currently places the Nigeria Police Force under federal authority. A dual system would provide constitutional backing for a framework involving policing at both federal and state levels.

The working group said its draft National Policing Bill, 2026, was undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice. The bills are expected to be returned to the group by October 30, 2026, after which members will conduct a final review before submitting them to the president.

The group urged stakeholders to support the transition to a dual policing system, saying the proposed reform was intended to improve public safety.

The constitutional amendment’s approval by the state assemblies marks a significant legislative step, but presidential assent and the completion of the implementing legislation remain necessary before the proposed framework can be put into effect.

Source: FSX Business News