Constitutional Amendment: 12 Things To Know About What Was Taken To State Assemblies

The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 State Houses of Assembly, but only one constitutional amendment bill has been sent so far.

Hereunder are the key things to know about what was taken to the state assemblies.

1. Only The State Police Bill Was Transmitted

 The National Assembly has transmitted the constitutional amendment establishing State Police Services to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration and concurrence.

2. The Entire Constitutional Amendment Package Was Not Transmitted

 Although 37 constitutional amendment bills have undergone various stages of consideration, including public hearings, only the State Police Bill has so far been passed by both chambers and transmitted to the states.

3. The Bill Requires Approval From 24 States

 Under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, a constitutional amendment requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, that is 24 states out of 36.

4. The States Will Follow Their Own Legislative Procedures

The state assemblies are expected to consider the bill according to their respective legislative procedures before communicating their resolutions to the National Assembly.

5. The 30-day Period Is Not A Constitutional Deadline

 The National Assembly has requested that the states communicate their decisions within 30 days of receiving the bill. However, it clarified that the period is an administrative timeframe and not a deadline imposed by the Constitution.

6. The Amendment Proposes A Dual Policing Structure

 If approved, Nigeria’s policing system would comprise a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, replacing the current structure in which the Nigeria Police Force operates as a centrally controlled national institution.

7. State Police Would Operate Within Individual States

Each State Police Service would be responsible for policing and public safety within the state for which it is established.

8. State Police Would Generally Have No Jurisdiction Outside The State

A State Police Service would not exercise police powers beyond the borders of its state except where specifically authorised by an Act of the National Assembly

9. The Federal Police Would Retain National Security Responsibilities

 The proposed Federal Police Service would retain jurisdiction over major national security matters, including terrorism, cybercrime, inter-state crimes, arms trafficking and international crime syndicates.

10. The President Could Take Temporary Operational Control Of A State Police Service

 The bill gives the President powers to intervene where exceptional circumstances arise. These include an actual or imminent breakdown of public order that the state police cannot or will not contain, serious administrative or operational incapacity, or evidence of systematic human-rights violations, partisan or electoral intimidation, or ethnic, religious or sectional persecution.

11. Presidential Intervention Would Have Procedural Safeguards

 Any such intervention must be authorised in writing, stating the grounds, affected territory and expected duration. The affected governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, National Police Council and National Assembly must also be notified within 48 hours.

12. The Federal Police Would Continue To Have An Inspector-General

The Federal Police Service would be headed by an Inspector-General of Police, appointed by the President on the advice of the National Police Council and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The constitutional amendment currently before the state assemblies is specifically about restructuring policing in Nigeria through the establishment of State Police. The other proposed constitutional changes including electoral, judicial, local government and legislative reforms  have not yet been transmitted to the state assemblies because they are still awaiting passage by the National Assembly.