Tinubu submits state police bill to Senate, Akpabio pledges expedited review

President Bola Tinubu has formally submitted a proposed constitutional amendment to the Nigerian Senate aimed at creating state police forces nationwide. The bill, transmitted in mid-June 2026, seeks to modify the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal basis for establishing and operating state-level police services.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio received the presidential letter and committed to expediting the legislative process, describing the measure as critical to Nigeria's security framework. The legislation represents Tinubu's response to intensifying insecurity across the country and longstanding calls from state governors and security analysts for police decentralization.

Under the proposed structure, Nigeria would operate a dual policing system combining federal and state police operations. The bill incorporates accountability mechanisms and safeguards designed to prevent state governors from misusing control over local police forces for political purposes.

State governors have renewed demands for substantial control over the appointment and operational oversight of state police commands, positioning decentralized security as essential for addressing local threats. The Senate committee responsible for constitutional review has been tasked with expediting consideration of the bill following its first reading during plenary proceedings in mid-June.

The transmission of this bill marks a significant moment in Nigeria's constitutional history, as previous efforts to establish state police have faced legislative obstacles. Lawmakers signaled readiness to advance the measure, though the final passage timeline remains dependent on committee review processes and broader legislative debates about the scope of state authority over security operations.