President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded the proposed state police bill to the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution to pave way for the establishment of state police services.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas,Tinubu said the bill was a critical step towards reorganising Nigeria’s security architecture to tackle the country’s growing security challenges.
The president who transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, for legislative consideration, said the new bill seeks to create a constitutional mandate for the establishment of state police services, adding that it builds on the work already undertaken by the House of Representatives on the issue.
Tinubu said the proposal contains more safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure is implemented “quickly and effectively” for Nigerians.
The president noted that “the proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens.”
He urged the House to expedite consideration and passage of the bill.
The state Houses of Assembly are required to approve the bill if passed by the national Assembly, as the amendment will provide the constitutional basis for states to establish and operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
