State Houses of Assembly have begun considering the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police Services across Nigeria.

The National Assembly transmitted the State Police Bill to all 36 state legislatures on September 16, 2026, making it the first of the ongoing constitutional amendment proposals to be sent to the states.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, clarified that only the State Police Bill has so far been transmitted to the state assemblies, contrary to reports suggesting that the entire package of constitutional amendment bills had been forwarded.

The development comes as state lawmakers commence consideration of the proposal, which seeks to create a constitutional framework for states to establish and operate their own police services.

The Osun State House of Assembly on Tuesday became the first state legislature to approve the proposal, endorsing the amendment unanimously.

The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria had earlier indicated that state assemblies would subject the proposal to legislative scrutiny and engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on issues surrounding the proposed policing structure.

For the bill to become part of the Nigerian Constitution, it must secure the required level of approval from the state Houses of Assembly in accordance with the constitutional amendment process.