President Bola Tinubu has officially sent a constitutional alteration bill to the Senate aimed at establishing state police as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation, outlined in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was presented during the plenary session today by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to President Tinubu, the bill seeks to provide a legal framework for a dual policing structure in Nigeria, enabling states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police. He emphasized that this amendment is a crucial aspect of ongoing efforts to reorganize the country’s policing system, enhancing security and better protecting citizens. Under the new arrangement, communities, municipalities, and local government areas would assume more active roles in policing responsibilities.
Following the bill’s submission, Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, directing them to report back on Wednesday. He highlighted the significance of community-based security, stating that local authorities would be better equipped to identify suspicious activities and promptly alert security agencies. “You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” the lawmaker stated, expressing confidence that collaboration between the executive and legislative branches would ensure the initiative’s success.
Further discussing the proposed legislation, Akpabio explained that the implementation process would occur in phases through constitutional alteration and subsequent Acts of Parliament. “We will do it in two phases through alteration and an Act of Parliament. There will be a lot of safeguards; let us come and do this important task. It is extremely important that we come tomorrow,” he urged.
The Senate President also informed senators that plenary proceedings would not entertain other major discussions due to the recent death of House member Yahaya Tongo from Gombe State. Meanwhile, the Senate leader appealed to lawmakers to attend the next sitting, emphasizing the importance of the state police proposal. “We need a minimum of two-thirds of members to vote on constitutional alterations. The issue of state police is non-partisan and cuts across geopolitical zones and interests,” he noted.
This latest development comes just weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for a second reading. Akpabio remarked that the fresh Constitution Alteration Bill submitted by the President builds on the earlier proposal and aims to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for establishing state police services.
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