President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.
The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
According to the president, the bill aims to create a constitutional framework for a dual policing system that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Tinubu described the proposal as a critical step toward restructuring the country’s security system to improve public safety and strengthen law enforcement at the grassroots level.
The president noted that communities, municipalities, and local government areas would play more active roles in policing under the proposed arrangement, enhancing local participation in security management.
Following the presentation of the bill, Akpabio referred it to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review and directed the committee to report back to the chamber on Wednesday.
Speaking on the proposal, the Senate President emphasized the importance of community-based security structures, arguing that local authorities are often better positioned to identify suspicious activities and respond to emerging threats.
“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 cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government would ensure the successful passage and implementation of the proposal.
Akpabio further explained that the process for establishing state police would be implemented in phases through constitutional amendments 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 stated.
The Senate President also informed lawmakers that plenary would not entertain other major debates due to the death of House of Representatives member Yahaya Tongo of Gombe State.
Meanwhile, the Senate Leader appealed to senators to attend the next sitting, stressing the significance of the constitutional amendment.
“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 latest development comes less than two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading.
Akpabio explained that the newly transmitted Constitution Alteration Bill builds on the earlier proposal and is intended to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the creation and operation of state police services across the country.
If passed, the legislation would mark one of the most significant reforms to Nigeria’s policing structure since independence, potentially reshaping security administration and law enforcement responsibilities between the federal and state governments.
