Nigeria’s Senate has pledged to pass legislation paving the way for the establishment of state police before the National Assembly proceeds on its Christmas break.
The commitment follows the approval of the proposed constitutional amendment by 25 state Houses of Assembly, bringing the proposal closer to the next stage of the legislative process.
The latest approval came from the Ondo State House of Assembly, which passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, on Monday, October 26.
The proposed amendment is intended to provide the constitutional framework required for states across Nigeria to establish their own police services.
Senate sets deadline for state police legislation
Yemi Adaramodu, chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the National Assembly was determined to complete the process before the end of the year.
Speaking to The Punch, Adaramodu described state police as a priority in the ongoing constitutional review process.
He said:
“Already, we have promised Nigerians that before the end of this 10th National Assembly, a new police law will be enacted for Nigerians. And then, before we even leave for Christmas, it would have been done.”
The senator added that the proposed legislation would be considered expeditiously once the necessary proposals were received from the executive.
Ondo joins 24 other states in approving amendment
The Ondo State House of Assembly reportedly passed the bill after it scaled its second and third readings, with all members present supporting its passage.
Other states that have approved the proposed amendment include Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa and Kaduna.
The growing number of approvals represents progress towards amending Nigeria’s Constitution to accommodate state police, a proposal that has featured prominently in national discussions about insecurity and the need to strengthen policing across the country.
Constitutional process still needs to be completed
Despite the Senate’s commitment, the establishment of state police will depend on the completion of the required constitutional and legislative procedures.
The latest development signals progress towards the proposal, but the Senate’s pledge to pass legislation before Christmas remains a timeline commitment rather than confirmation that state police will be operational by then.
The proposal has continued to attract attention amid calls for a policing system that allows states to respond more directly to security challenges within their territories.