Tinubu sends State Police Bill to House of Representatives for constitutional approval

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the proposed legislation would amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal framework for the creation and operation of state police as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Tinubu said the bill builds on previous legislative work by the House while introducing additional safeguards to ensure the effective implementation of a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.

“I am delighted to present to the House of Representatives for consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to create a constitutional pathway for the establishment of State Police Services,” the President wrote.

According to Tinubu, the proposed amendment is intended to provide a more responsive and efficient policing structure capable of addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.

“This Bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges can be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” he said.

The President described the legislation as a key pillar of his administration’s plan to reform and modernise Nigeria’s security system.

“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” Tinubu added.

He urged lawmakers to give the proposal expedited consideration, saying the reforms are crucial to improving public safety and strengthening the country’s overall security framework.

The President’s request comes less than two weeks after the Senate approved a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police services nationwide.

The Senate passed the bill after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele presented its general principles during plenary. Lawmakers subsequently conducted clause-by-clause consideration before approving it at third reading.

The legislation secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators, meeting the constitutional requirement for amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

With the bill now before the House of Representatives, the proposal advances another step in the constitutional amendment process, intensifying efforts to establish state police as part of broader reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.