Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for State Police Creation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026 to the Senate, seeking a constitutional framework for state-level policing across the country.

The letter, dated June 15, 2026, was read on the Senate floor on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In it, Tinubu described the bill as central to his administration’s security reforms.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he said.

Akpabio commended the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, for nearly two years of work on the bill, describing it as “epoch-making legislation that can significantly address insecurity and encourage broader participation of communities in maintaining public safety.”

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged full attendance for the vote, noting that constitutional amendments require at least two-thirds of senators. “The issue of state police is one that cuts across all political parties. It has become a national issue,” he said.

The bill was referred to the Constitution Review Committee, with deliberations expected to resume Wednesday. The House of Representatives had already passed its own version on June 10, 2026.