Tinubu transmits state police constitutional amendment bill to Reps

By Gift Chapi Odekina, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, to the House of Representatives for consideration, seeking to establish a constitutional framework for the creation of state police services across the country.

In a letter dated June 15, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the President said the proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a constitutional basis for the establishment of state police.

Tinubu said the bill builds on the work already undertaken by the House of Representatives on the issue and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that a dual policing structure can effectively address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to him, the proposed amendment is designed to strengthen the country’s security architecture by enabling federal and state policing systems to operate within a clear constitutional framework.

He said the legislation forms a key part of his administration’s strategy to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect lives and property.

The President expressed confidence that the House would give the bill expeditious consideration, saying the measure would enable the country to respond more effectively to its security challenges.

“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 letter read.

Tinubu added that the bill builds on the significant work already done by the House and includes safeguards to ensure that the proposed dual policing structure can be implemented effectively.

He described the legislation as a critical component of his administration’s security reform agenda.

If passed by the National Assembly and approved by the required number of state Houses of Assembly, the constitutional amendment would pave the way for the establishment of state police services in Nigeria.

The proposal is expected to revive national discussions on state policing, a longstanding constitutional issue that has attracted both strong support as a means of improving security and concerns over the potential misuse of state police by subnational governments.

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