President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transmitted a Constitution Alteration Bill to the Senate seeking the establishment of state police across Nigeria’s federation. The proposed legislation aims to amend key provisions of the 1999 Constitution and create a legal framework for state-controlled policing as part of wider efforts to strengthen national security.
The letter conveying the bill was read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who formally announced receipt of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026. Akpabio described the proposal as a major step toward improving security operations and encouraging stronger community involvement in law enforcement.
He noted that local communities are often best positioned to identify suspicious activities and criminal behaviour, adding that state police structures would enhance grassroots intelligence gathering and improve coordination between citizens and security agencies.
According to the Senate President, state governments have already expressed readiness to act swiftly once the constitutional amendment process is completed. He commended lawmakers for resuming from annual recess to begin consideration of the bill and other constitutional alteration proposals.
Akpabio also confirmed that copies of the Constitution Review Committee’s report had been distributed to senators for detailed examination ahead of further debate. He praised the committee for what he described as nearly two years of consultations and legislative work that culminated in the proposal.
“This is an epoch-making legislation that can significantly address insecurity and encourage broader participation of communities in maintaining public safety,” he said.
Following the presentation, the Senate directed the committee to resubmit its report on Wednesday to enable further legislative action. The upper chamber also expressed commitment to fast-tracking deliberations on the bill before proceeding on its annual recess. However, plenary was briefly interrupted following the announcement of the death of Yaya Tongo, the lawmaker representing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Senate President Akpabio extended condolences to the family, constituents and colleagues of the late lawmaker, praying for strength and comfort for those affected. Senators subsequently observed a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased.
The proposed state police bill marks one of the most significant constitutional reform efforts in recent years, reflecting growing national debate on security restructuring and decentralised policing in Nigeria.
