The National Assembly has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, to the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states for consideration and approval.
The transmission, made known by Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, Clerk to the National Assembly carried out on Wednesday, September 16, marks the next stage of the constitutional alteration process and was undertaken by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, pursuant to the directive of the National Assembly leadership.
The move brings the 36 State Houses of Assembly into the process, with the proposed amendments covering major areas of governance, including state police, local government autonomy, electoral reforms, judicial administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights and institutional reforms.
Among the most prominent proposals is the establishment of State Police Services alongside the Federal Police.
The proposal is designed to create a constitutional framework for a two-tier policing structure, with states empowered to establish their own police forces subject to constitutional and legislative safeguards.
The proposed state policing framework has been under consideration as part of efforts to decentralise policing and improve local responses to insecurity. The Presidency has previously said the constitutional amendment would provide the legal foundation for state policing, while a separate enabling framework would address recruitment, training, oversight, funding and other operational matters.
Another major issue before the state legislatures is local government autonomy. The constitutional review proposals seek changes aimed at strengthening the political, administrative and financial independence of local governments and addressing the management of funds allocated to the third tier of government.
The question of local government autonomy has remained a major constitutional issue, particularly following the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment on direct funding of local government councils. The constitutional review process has also considered the abolition or reform of the State Joint Local Government Account and mechanisms for ensuring that funds meant for councils are protected.
The proposals also touch on revenue allocation and fiscal federalism, an issue that has featured prominently in the constitutional review consultations. The debate includes the distribution of Federation Account revenues among the Federal Government, states and local governments, as well as questions surrounding derivation and the financial powers of the different tiers of government.
Electoral reforms also form part of the broader package of constitutional proposals. The review process has examined issues relating to the electoral system and the administration of elections, alongside proposals intended to strengthen democratic institutions and governance.
The package further covers judicial reforms, including institutional and administrative issues affecting the judiciary, as well as proposals concerning devolution of powers between the Federal Government and the states.
Other areas identified in the constitutional review include inclusive governance and citizenship, legislative reforms, human rights, traditional institutions, institutional strengthening, and the creation of states and local governments.
Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution provides that a bill for the alteration of the Constitution shall not be passed by either chamber of the National Assembly unless it is approved by resolutions of not less than two-thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states.
The State Houses of Assembly have therefore been asked to consider the bill in accordance with their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly upon conclusion of their consideration.
The Clerk said the Constitution does not prescribe a specific period within which the State Houses of Assembly must communicate their resolutions on a constitutional alteration bill.
However, in the interest of an orderly, coordinated and timely conclusion of the process, the National Assembly expects the state legislatures to consider the bill and communicate their decisions within 30 days of receipt.
The National Assembly stressed that the 30-day period is an administrative expectation and not a constitutional deadline.
It also acknowledged the constitutional responsibility and independence of the State Houses of Assembly, saying the transmission was intended to facilitate the orderly discharge of their role in the alteration process.
For the proposals to clear the state-level hurdle, resolutions supporting them must be secured from at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, representing the constitutionally required two-thirds threshold.
The National Assembly said it remains committed to conducting the constitutional alteration process in strict compliance with the Constitution and in accordance with due process, institutional cooperation and respect for the legislative responsibilities of all tiers of government.
Upon receiving the resolutions from the State Houses of Assembly, the National Assembly will proceed with the next steps prescribed by the Constitution.
