Tinubu transmits State Police Bill to Senate, Akpabio pledges swift passage

President Bola Tinubu has formally sent the long-awaited State Police Bill to the Nigerian Senate, initiating what could be a landmark security reform. The proposed legislation, titled ‘Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026,’ seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to establish a legal framework for state police services nationwide.

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This bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police services in Nigeria.

This move is widely seen as a direct response to Nigeria's escalating security concerns. In a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the bill's consideration and passage. He described the legislation as a crucial element of his administration's strategy to enhance national security and bolster citizen protection.

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The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the Senate will act swiftly to consider and pass this bill.

"This bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police services in Nigeria," Tinubu stated in his letter. He noted that the proposal builds upon existing work by the National Assembly and includes safeguards to ensure the effective functioning of a dual policing structure. "It builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure can address our nation’s evolving security challenges," he added.

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We cannot do anything further on this matter today. Therefore, the bill that has just been read is referred to the Committee on Constitution Review, which is to present its report tomorrow, Wednesday, for further legislative action.

Senate President Akpabio immediately referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. He directed the panel to submit its report by Wednesday for swift legislative action, assuring that accelerated procedures would be invoked to fast-track the process before the Senate's recess. Akpabio characterized the proposal as a historic stride toward decentralizing policing and bringing security management closer to the populace.

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As soon as the report is presented, we will consider it at the Committee of the Whole and fast-track the process so that we can conclude legislative business before proceeding on recess after a year of intensive legislative work.