On Friday, 23 October, the [Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Policing_Bill_(Nigeria)) announced that twenty‑four of Nigeria’s thirty‑six State Houses of Assembly have ratified the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, thereby satisfying the two‑thirds majority required to advance the dual policing system proposal.
**Key facts:**
- The amendment seeks to introduce a separate state police force alongside the existing Federal Police, creating a dual policing framework.
- The required constitutional threshold of two‑thirds of the 36 states was met when the 24th state, Kaduna, gave its approval.
- The statement was issued by the group’s chairman, [Femi Gbajabiamila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femi_Gbajabiamila), who also serves as Chief of Staff to the President.
- The working group praised the state assemblies for their support and acknowledged the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.
- Gbajabiamila previously indicated that the National Policing Bill was about 90 % ready for transmission to the National Assembly, with an expected submission within two weeks.
**Which states have approved the amendment?**
The following states have formally endorsed the constitutional change: Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Abia, Yobe and Kaduna.
**What does the amendment entail?**
The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, commonly referred to as the state police bill, proposes a dual policing system where each state would have its own police force responsible for local law‑enforcement duties, while the Federal Police would retain jurisdiction over national matters. This structure aims to improve security responsiveness at the grassroots level.
**When is the bill expected to reach the National Assembly?**
According to the working group’s statement, the federal government anticipates forwarding the bill to the National Assembly within the next two weeks, moving it toward final legislative approval.
"The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill notes with satisfaction that the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, providing for a dual policing system, has been approved by 24 State Houses of Assembly, meeting the constitutional threshold of two‑thirds of the 36 states," the statement read.
The development follows weeks of debate over the merits of a state police, a proposal that has generated both support for enhanced local security and concerns about potential fragmentation of law‑enforcement authority. The upcoming parliamentary deliberations will determine whether the amendment will be incorporated into Nigeria’s constitution.
For further context, the [Constitution of Nigeria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Nigeria) outlines the amendment process, while the broader discussion on [state police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_in_Nigeria) reflects ongoing efforts to reform the nation’s security architecture.