President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposed legislation, contained in a communication dated June 15, 2026, was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.
According to the President, the bill seeks to create the constitutional basis for a dual policing system that would allow states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
Tinubu said the proposal forms a key component of broader reforms aimed at restructuring the country’s security architecture and improving the protection of lives and property. He noted that the new arrangement would enable communities, municipalities and local government areas to play more active roles in maintaining security.
Following its presentation, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, with a directive to report back to the chamber on Wednesday.
Speaking on the proposal, Akpabio emphasized the importance of community-based policing, arguing that local authorities are often better positioned to detect and report suspicious activities within their areas.
“You will know when foreigners infiltrate Nigeria and alert security agencies so they can react proactively rather than reactively,” he said.
The Senate President further explained that the implementation of state police would be carried out through constitutional amendments and supporting legislation designed to provide adequate safeguards.
“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,” Akpabio stated.
The latest development comes less than two weeks after the Senate passed an executive bill on state police for second reading. Akpabio noted that the newly transmitted Constitution Alteration Bill builds on the earlier proposal and seeks to provide the constitutional foundation necessary for the establishment and operation of state police across the country.
If approved by the National Assembly and ratified in accordance with constitutional requirements, the amendment would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s policing structure by decentralizing certain security responsibilities to the states.