State police program moves closer to reality as Senate sets bill passage date.

The Nigerian Senate has set Wednesday as the date for passing the state police bill.

Lawmakers ended their recess early to consider the bill, which aims to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to escalating security challenges.

President Bola Tinubu sent an executive version of the bill to the Senate on Tuesday via a letter dated 15 June 2026.

The proposed legislation would create a dual policing system, allowing federal and state police forces to operate side by side.

At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a crucial step toward restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.

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 present its report for consideration and a vote.

Akpabio urged senators to attend the session, emphasizing the need for wide support to secure the bill’s passage.

“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise,” he said. “We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.