24 Nigerian assemblies approve planned dual policing system
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Twenty-four of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies have approved the constitutional amendment establishing a dual policing system, reaching the threshold required to continue the process. The draft must still be finalised by the presidential working group before being sent to Bola Tinubu, according to a statement by Femi Gbajabiamila reported by Punch.
Twenty-four of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies have approved the constitutional reform establishing a dual policing system, Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu and chairman of the presidential working group on the national police bill, announced on Friday 23 October 2026. This number reaches the two-thirds threshold required to amend the Constitution, according to a statement cited by Punch.
The reform provides for the coexistence of the federal police and police services belonging to the states. The constitutional bill, already adopted by both chambers of the National Assembly, can now be returned to the federal Parliament before being sent to President Bola Tinubu for enactment, in accordance with Article 9 of Nigeria’s Constitution.
The working group said the implementing texts were undergoing drafting review and approval at the Federal Ministry of Justice. They must be returned to it by 30 October 2026 at the latest, before a final review and their presentation to the head of state. The National Assembly sent the bill to the assemblies of the 36 states on 16 September, with an administrative deadline of 30 days for a response.
Updated 23 October 2026: Twenty-four Nigerian state assemblies have approved the constitutional reform providing for a policing system shared between the federal and state levels. Read: Nigeria’s reform allowing state police clears 24-assembly threshold.
