Tinubu Pushes State Police Bill to Senate, Seeks Swift Passage Amid Rising Security Concerns

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted the State Police Bill to the Senate, seeking expedited legislative action on a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for the establishment of state police services across Nigeria.

The proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In his communication to lawmakers, President Tinubu described the legislation as a key pillar of his administration’s strategy to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges through a more decentralised policing framework.

“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.

According to the President, the proposal builds on extensive consultations and previous legislative work undertaken by both chambers of the National Assembly while incorporating safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure effective coordination between federal and state policing structures.

“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,” he said.

Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the legislation as a historic intervention capable of fundamentally transforming Nigeria’s security architecture.

Akpabio commended the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, for spending nearly two years consulting stakeholders and refining the proposal.

“This legislation will make security more inclusive by enabling communities, youths, villages, municipal authorities and local governments to participate in the nation’s security architecture,” Akpabio said.

He argued that local communities possess critical intelligence that can help security agencies prevent attacks before they occur.

“As I have always said, every community knows the bad eggs within it. Security agencies can then act proactively rather than reactively. We must become proactive instead of reacting after incidents have occurred,” he added.

The Senate President also sought to allay fears that state police could be weaponised by political office holders, stressing that robust constitutional safeguards would be built into the system.

“Even current governors who will one day leave office should not be afraid of the state police structure they helped create. That is why there will be many safeguards built into the system,” he said.

Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Constitution Review Committee with a directive to submit its report on Wednesday for immediate legislative consideration.

He further urged senators to attend the next sitting, noting that constitutional amendments require the support of at least two-thirds of members.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele echoed the call, describing state policing as a national issue that transcends political parties, regional interests and geopolitical considerations.

The Senate is expected to begin accelerated consideration of the bill on Wednesday as lawmakers move to conclude legislative business before proceeding on annual recess.