The Nigerian Senate has scheduled Wednesday for the passage of the long anticipated state police bill, a major legislative step aimed at overhauling the country’s security architecture.
The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to decentralize Nigeria’s policing system by creating a dual structure where federal and state police forces operate simultaneously.
Lawmakers reportedly cut short their recess to deliberate on the proposed legislation, reflecting the urgency surrounding Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally transmitted the executive version of the bill to the Senate on Tuesday through a letter dated June 15, 2026.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a critical step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security framework and improving response capacity at the state level.
The bill was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to submit its report for consideration and voting.
Akpabio urged senators to be fully present for the voting process, emphasizing the importance of broad legislative support.
“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.
“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.
If passed, the state police bill would mark one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Nigeria’s recent democratic history, potentially shifting policing responsibilities closer to state governments to improve local security coordination.
