By Abbanobi-Eku Onyeka
Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested Senate approval for a constitutional amendment bill to establish state police across Nigeria, describing it as a key step to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.
The President explained that the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure. The structure would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.
According to Tinubu, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the National Assembly. He added that it contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation and prevent abuse.
“This bill 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 to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu stated.
The President described the legislation as a critical component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he said.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration, noting the urgency of tackling insecurity through decentralized policing.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action. The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.
