Dual Policing: 66.7% of State Assemblies Approve Constitutional Amendment

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 23, 2026, signed by its Chairman and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

“The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill notes with satisfaction that the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, providing for a dual policing system, has been approved by 24 State Houses of Assembly, meeting the constitutional threshold of two-thirds of the 36 states,” the statement read.

The Working Group commended the state assemblies for approving the amendment and the National Assembly for passing it in both chambers.

It said the amendment could now be returned to the National Assembly for transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent, in line with Section 9 of the Constitution.

According to the group, the approval provides constitutional backing for the policing framework outlined in the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, which is designed to implement the proposed dual policing system.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the draft bills were undergoing legislative drafting review and validation at the Federal Ministry of Justice and were expected to be returned on or before October 30, 2026.

The Working Group is expected to give the bills final consideration before presenting them to the President.

“The Working Group urges all stakeholders to support a smooth transition to a dual policing system that makes Nigerians safer,” the statement added.

The approval marks a significant step in the constitutional process towards dual policing in Nigeria, although presidential assent and subsequent implementation steps remain outstanding.