The Nigerian House of Representatives has taken crucial steps towards the establishment of state police services, with 28 State Houses of Assembly approving the necessary constitutional amendment. This surpasses the minimum of 24 approvals needed under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, confirmed that his office has received and verified the resolutions from the 28 assemblies. The proposed amendment is part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026. It aims to create a policing system that includes both Federal and State Police Services, giving individual states the authority to establish their own police forces.
The bill, which has already passed through both chambers of the National Assembly, was sent to state assemblies for consideration on 16 September. Following the required approvals, the National Assembly is preparing to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Additionally, the House has advanced a bill that aims to enhance healthcare delivery by imposing penalties on medical facilities that refuse or delay emergency treatments. Sponsored by House spokesperson Akin Rotimi, the proposed amendment to the National Health Act, 2014, seeks to enforce strict timelines for hospitals to stabilize emergency patients. Facilities are expected to commence triage within 15 minutes, initiate life-saving measures immediately upon identifying critical conditions, and ensure available beds are assigned within two hours for admitted patients.
A debate surrounding the bill highlighted the necessity for coverage of emergency patients under the National Health Insurance Scheme to prevent hospitals from requiring upfront payments before treatment.
The House of Representatives also passed a second reading of the Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, which aims to curtail exploitative rental practices. The bill seeks to limit advance rent payments to a maximum of 12 months, while still allowing voluntary longer agreements under specified conditions. This proposal generated discussions among lawmakers regarding the balance between tenant protection and landlord rights.
In another legislative effort, a new Trustee Investment Bill, 2026, is being considered to modernize the regulatory framework governing trustee investments. This bill aims to manage the risks associated with concentration of assets, proposing a limit on trustees investing over 20 percent of a trust fund’s portfolio in a single issuer, alongside expanding permissible investment options.
These legislative advancements signal a proactive approach from the House of Representatives to address pressing issues in law enforcement, healthcare, and housing in Nigeria.
