National Assembly Passes Landmark State Police Bill In a significant advancement for Nigeria's security architecture, the legislative process to decentralize policing has achieved a major milestone. Both chambers of the National Assembly have now passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026. Key Legislative Developments: House Approval: The House of Representatives initially passed the bill on June 11, 2026, following a decisive vote where 288 lawmakers supported the motion to shift policing powers from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List. Senate Passage: Following its transmission to the upper chamber, the Senate officially passed the bill during an emergency plenary session on June 24, 2026. With 84 out of 109 senators voting in favorβ€”representing a 77.06% majorityβ€”the Senate formally adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Constitution Review. Constitutional Roadmap: The bill’s passage in both chambers marks the completion of the first major stage of the constitutional amendment process. According to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, the following steps are now underway: Transmission to State Houses of Assembly: The bill has been officially transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly. For it to become law, at least two-thirds (24 states) must concur and approve the amendment. Presidential Assent: Once the required majority of state legislatures ratify the bill, it will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for his formal assent, officially establishing a dual policing structure in Nigeria. The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasized that the reform is a "child of necessity" designed to tackle localized security challenges. Once enacted, the law will empower states to establish their own police services, while the Federal Police will shift its focus toward national security, terrorism, and interstate crimes.