The proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police is facing delays across Nigeria, with only four of the 36 state Houses of Assembly having approved the bill.
Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers have so far given their approval, while several other assemblies are still studying the proposal or have yet to receive it.
The National Assembly transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to all 36 state assemblies on 16th September and asked them to communicate their decisions within 30 days.
However, the 30-day period is an administrative target, not a constitutional deadline.
Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, at least two-thirds of the state assemblies, or 24, must approve a constitutional amendment before it can move to the next stage.
This means the bill still needs approval from 20 more state assemblies.
In Ondo, the House confirmed receiving the bill and said it had been circulated among lawmakers for study.
Ekiti has also received the proposal but is yet to begin deliberations.
Several Northern states are moving more slowly.
Kano, Kwara, Kebbi, Taraba and Gombe said they had yet to receive the bill, while Yobe, Borno, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Sokoto have received it but are yet to vote.
In the Southeast, most assemblies are yet to formally consider the bill.
The Abia Assembly said lawmakers would act when they resume on 6th October.
“Members cannot vote in isolation; it must be done in the hallowed chambers,” Acting Clerk Promise Onwukwe said.
The proposed reform seeks to allow states to establish their own police services while retaining the Nigeria Police Force as the federal police service.
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