State Police: 24 States Approve Bill as Lagos, 11 Others Delay Decision — Full List Emerges

A total of 24 states have reportedly approved the proposed state police bill, meeting the required threshold for advancing the constitutional amendment, while 12 other states are yet to conclude their deliberations.

According to a report by Vanguard on Friday, October 23, 2026, the states that have endorsed the proposal have reached the 24-state benchmark required for the constitutional amendment process to proceed.

The development represents a significant step in the ongoing debate over the establishment of state police in Nigeria, a proposal that has attracted considerable attention amid concerns about security challenges across the country.

However, discussions are still ongoing in several states, with further decisions expected in the coming week.

Full List of 24 States That Have Approved the State Police Bill

The states reported to have approved the proposed amendment are:

Meanwhile, 12 states are still being awaited to complete their positions on the proposed state police arrangement.

According to the report, these states are yet to be included among those that have approved the bill, with further deliberations expected.

The reported endorsement by 24 states marks an important stage in the constitutional process surrounding the proposed creation of state police.

The proposal seeks to introduce a policing structure that would allow individual states to establish their own police services alongside the existing federal police system.

Supporters of state police have argued that a decentralised policing arrangement could improve local responses to security threats, while concerns about political interference, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights remain part of the broader debate.

Although the 24-state threshold has reportedly been reached, the completion of the constitutional amendment process and the formal establishment of state police remain separate legal and administrative steps.

Further developments are expected as the remaining states continue their deliberations.