‎Tinubu Transmits State Police Amendment Bill to Senate

Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria to the Senate, marking a significant step toward restructuring the country’s security architecture.
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‎Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed the development during plenary on Tuesday, announcing that lawmakers are expected to consider the proposed constitutional amendment on Wednesday.
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‎He also indicated that state governments have signalled readiness to review the bill once it is forwarded to them.
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‎The proposed legislation seeks to amend relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation and operation of state police forces throughout the federation.
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‎The move follows repeated calls by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening security and enabling states to play a more direct role in policing their territories.
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‎ In February, the President urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, describing the initiative as essential in addressing terrorism, banditry and other security challenges.
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‎Momentum for the state police proposal has grown in recent months, with both chambers of the National Assembly advancing constitutional amendment efforts designed to decentralise policing powers.
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‎Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a related bill, while the Senate continued deliberations on the proposal.
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‎If approved by the National Assembly, the constitutional amendment will still require ratification by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s state assemblies before it can become law.
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‎The Senate is expected to reconvene in an emergency session to deliberate on the bill, which supporters describe as one of the most far-reaching security reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.
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