The Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a dual policing system in Nigeria, has officially secured the approval of 24 State Houses of Assembly. This development fulfills the statutory two-thirds majority requirement across the 36 states, clearing the path for the creation of State Police Services.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill confirmed the milestone in a press statement issued on Friday. The Chairman of the group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, stated that the amendment will now be forwarded to the National Assembly before final transmission to the President for assent, in compliance with Section 9 of the Constitution.
“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”
Gbajabiamila commended the state legislatures for their action on the national security reform, and also appreciating the National Assembly for previously passing the amendment in both legislative chambers. The successful ratification provides the necessary constitutional backing for the working group’s draft National Policing Bill, 2026, to be fully implemented.
The working group disclosed that the draft National Policing Bill, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills, is currently undergoing legislative review at the Federal Ministry of Justice. The ministry is conducting this validation to ensure the drafts conform to legislative standards and do not conflict with existing national laws.
The justice ministry pledged to return the validated documents to the working group on or before Friday, October 30, 2026. After the return, the committee will conduct a final review before officially presenting the legislative framework to the President.
“Thereafter, the Group will give them final consideration before presenting them to Mr President. The Working Group urges all stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system that makes Nigerians safer,” Gbajabiamila added.
The proposed legislative framework is designed to decentralise internal security operations in the country. It seeks to formally establish a Federal Police Service operating alongside autonomous State Police Services, aiming to improve rapid security responses at the grassroots level.
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