Tinubu Sends State Police Bill to Senate, Lawmakers Set for Consideration

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police to the Senate, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture.

The proposed legislation, which aims to create a legal framework for state-controlled police forces across the federation, is expected to come up for consideration by the Senate on Wednesday.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed the development, stating that the upper chamber is prepared to deliberate on the bill as part of its constitutional amendment process.

Akpabio also revealed that state governments have pledged to expedite consideration of the proposal once it is transmitted to their respective Houses of Assembly.

According to him, the states have assured the National Assembly that they will review the state police bill on the same day they receive it, underscoring broad support for the initiative.

The push for state police has remained a major topic in Nigeria’s security discourse, with proponents arguing that decentralizing policing would enhance intelligence gathering, improve response to local security challenges, and strengthen community-based law enforcement.

If approved by the National Assembly and endorsed by the required number of state legislatures, the constitutional amendment would pave the way for the establishment of state police forces across the country.

The Senate’s consideration of the bill is expected to attract widespread attention from stakeholders, security experts, and state governments as Nigeria seeks new approaches to addressing insecurity.