Nigeria has taken an important step toward decentralizing its policing system after the National Assembly transmitted a constitutional amendment establishing state police services to all 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration. The measure, formally titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, would establish state police forces alongside the federal Nigeria Police Force. It must be approved by at least two-thirds of the state assemblies, or 24 of the 36 states, before the constitutional amendment can take effect. The National Assembly’s decision to prioritize the state police legislation is itself significant.