President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the establishment of state police services across Nigeria.
The President formally forwarded the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the Green Chamber, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the country’s security framework.
In a letter addressed to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Tinubu said the proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide the legal basis for the creation and operation of state police.
According to the President, the bill builds on previous work already carried out by the House and introduces additional safeguards to ensure the effective operation 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,” Tinubu stated.
He explained that the proposed framework is aimed at tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges through a more responsive and efficient policing structure.
“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.
Tinubu described the legislation as a key part of his administration’s broader efforts to reform and modernise the nation’s security architecture, expressing confidence that lawmakers would act swiftly on the proposal.
“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 House of Representatives will act quickly to consider and pass this Bill,” he added.
The President also appealed to members of the House to fast-track consideration of the bill, stressing that the proposed reforms are crucial to improving public safety and strengthening Nigeria’s security system.
Tinubu’s request comes just weeks after the Senate passed a similar constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police across the federation.
The bill scaled second reading after Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, presented its general principles before lawmakers. It was later considered clause by clause and passed at third reading.
The proposal secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators, meeting the constitutional requirement for amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
With the executive bill now before the House of Representatives, the push for state police has gathered fresh momentum as part of ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and improve responses to growing security challenges across the country.
