Tinubu Sends State Police Bill to Senate for Consideration
President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted a bill seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria to the Senate for legislative consideration.
The proposed legislation, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, was conveyed in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read during Tuesday’s plenary session by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the President, the bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment and operation of state police services nationwide.
Tinubu noted that the proposal builds on previous efforts by both chambers of the National Assembly and incorporates measures designed to ensure the effective implementation of a dual policing system.
He said the initiative forms a critical part of his administration’s strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the country’s capacity to tackle growing security challenges.
The President expressed confidence that the Senate would give the bill prompt consideration and passage, describing it as a necessary step toward enhancing public safety and protecting citizens across the federation.
Following the reading of the correspondence, Senate President Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution for further legislative action.
The push for state police has gained momentum in recent years amid increasing concerns over terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats. Tinubu has repeatedly advocated constitutional reforms that would allow state governments to play a more active role in policing and internal security.
In February, the President urged lawmakers to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, arguing that a decentralized policing system would help address evolving security concerns more effectively.
During his Democracy Day address earlier this month, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating insecurity, stating that terrorists, bandits and their sponsors would face the full force of the law. He also reported significant gains in counterterrorism operations, including the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists over the past year.
However, he acknowledged that the continued captivity of some abducted schoolchildren in parts of the country remains a major concern.
The Senate is expected to examine the bill as part of ongoing constitutional amendment efforts that could lead to one of the most significant security reforms since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
