President urges House of Representatives to fast-track constitutional amendment establishing state police after Senate approval.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House of Representatives, seeking constitutional approval for the establishment of state police services across the country.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the proposed legislation would amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal framework for a dual policing system involving both federal and state law enforcement agencies.
Tinubu explained that the bill builds on earlier legislative efforts by the House and introduces additional safeguards to ensure the effective implementation of state police.
According to the President, the proposed reform is designed to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges by creating a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
He described the bill as a key component of his administration’s strategy to modernise the nation’s security architecture and improve public safety.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens,” Tinubu stated, urging lawmakers to give the bill expedited consideration.
The President’s request comes barely two weeks after the Senate approved a similar constitutional amendment creating state police services.
The Senate passed the proposal after it secured the support of more than two-thirds of lawmakers, meeting the constitutional requirement for amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
With the bill now before the House of Representatives, the proposed establishment of state police has gained fresh momentum as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.