President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a constitution alteration bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation, dated June 15, 2026, was read during plenary on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the President, the bill seeks to create a legal framework for a dual policing structure in Nigeria, allowing states to establish and operate their own police forces alongside the federal police.
Tinubu said the amendment forms a key part of efforts to restructure the country’s policing system to improve security and enhance the protection of citizens. He added that communities, municipalities and local government areas would play a more active role in security under the proposed arrangement.
Following the presentation, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, directing it to report back on Wednesday.
He emphasised the importance of community-based policing, arguing that local authorities are better positioned to detect and report suspicious activity.
“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” Akpabio said.
He expressed confidence that collaboration between the executive and legislative arms would ensure the success of the reform.
Speaking further, the Senate President explained that implementation would proceed 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,” he said.
Akpabio also informed lawmakers that plenary would not entertain other major debates due to the passing of House of Representatives member Yahaya Tongo from Gombe State.
The Senate Leader appealed for strong attendance at the next sitting, stressing the importance of the constitutional amendment process.
“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 said.
The development comes less than two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading. Akpabio noted that the new Constitution Alteration Bill builds on the earlier proposal and is intended to provide the constitutional foundation for the establishment of state police services.
