Tinubu Sends State Police Bill to Senate, Begins Fresh Push for Security Reform

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill seeking the establishment of state police to the Senate, setting the stage for a fresh legislative process toward decentralising Nigeria’s policing system.

The Senate President, , announced the development during Tuesday’s plenary, disclosing that the upper chamber would commence consideration of the proposed amendment on Wednesday.

Akpabio said state governments had also indicated their readiness to engage with the proposal once it is transmitted to them for consideration, as required in the constitutional amendment process.

The bill seeks to alter relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation and administration of state police forces across Nigeria.

The move represents a significant development in the push for security sector reform, with advocates of state policing arguing that a decentralised structure would enable faster response to crimes, strengthen intelligence gathering and improve community participation in security management.

President Tinubu has consistently supported the creation of state police as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

In February, the President called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state police, arguing that the current centralised policing model requires restructuring to meet the security demands of a diverse federation.

Tinubu has maintained that allowing states to establish their own police forces would enhance grassroots security coordination and provide communities with a more responsive law enforcement system.

The proposal, however, is expected to generate extensive debate among lawmakers and stakeholders, particularly on issues surrounding funding, oversight, professionalism, recruitment standards and safeguards against political abuse.

Under Nigeria’s constitutional amendment procedure, the proposal must secure approval from both chambers of the National Assembly and receive support from a required number of state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.

The latest move comes amid renewed calls from governors, traditional leaders, security experts and civil society organisations for reforms that would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to respond to evolving security threats.