Tinubu Sends State Police Amendment Bill To Senate

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a letter to the Senate asking the legislature’s to approve a constitutional bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

The letter, dated June 15, 2026, was read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.

Highlighting the significance of the content of 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.

Tinubu added that the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.

According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.

“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 said.

The president described the proposed legislation as a key 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 added.

Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the 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.