Nigeria Senate passes bill to double police trust fund allocation

Nigeria's Senate has passed a bill to double the statutory allocation to the Police Trust Fund, increasing it from 0.5% to 1% of the Federation Account's revenue. This move is designed to bolster the Nigeria Police Force's funding, operational capacity, and personnel welfare.

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The proposed legislation is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s policing architecture by boosting intelligence gathering capabilities and improving the fight against crime and insecurity across the country.

The legislation, titled the Police Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, passed its third reading after the Senate Committee on Police Affairs presented its report. The bill seeks to establish a more robust legal and institutional framework for supporting police operations, including training, equipment procurement, and welfare improvements.

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The bill is designed to provide sustainable financing for police training, procurement of security equipment, acquisition of operational assets and improvement of personnel welfare, with the objective of enhancing accountability, efficiency and service delivery within the Force.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and sponsor of the bill, described it as a strategic national security intervention. He argued that it addresses chronic underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and obsolete equipment within the police system. Bamidele emphasized that evolving security threats necessitate a modern, well-funded police force capable of effective response.

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The proposed funding structure goes beyond allocations from the Federation Account and incorporates development levies, government interventions, international grants and private-sector contributions.

The proposed funding structure extends beyond the Federation Account, incorporating development levies, government interventions, international grants, and private sector contributions. The bill also introduces a strengthened governance structure with a multi-stakeholder board and a Project Implementation Committee to ensure transparency and accountability.

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He argued that evolving security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime, require a modern and sustainably funded police force capable of responding effectively to contemporary challenges.