President Tinubu Urges Senate to Fast-Track Constitutional Amendment for State Police

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, formally urged the Nigerian Senate to commence the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police. The President made this appeal during an interfaith Iftar (breaking of fast) with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja.

President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria must urgently restructure its security architecture to effectively combat pervasive terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. He declared that the nation is 'extremely challenged' by these security threats, necessitating a shift towards a more localized policing system.

Rationale for State Police

The President highlighted that a decentralized policing structure would significantly strengthen grassroots security and enable subnational governments to respond more swiftly and effectively to local challenges. He emphasized that such a reform would complement the existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-driven, community-focused law enforcement. Tinubu urged lawmakers to 'start thinking about how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police, so we can secure our country, reclaim our forests from marauders and free our children from fear.'

This call reinforces a campaign President Tinubu has sustained since assuming office. In February 2024, he approved the formation of a joint federal-state committee to examine modalities for state policing. He reiterated this stance in November 2025, urging the National Assembly to review relevant laws, and again in December 2025, pressing governors and lawmakers to support constitutional reforms. Days prior to his address to the Senate, during a similar interfaith engagement with governors, Tinubu declared that state police 'can't wait' and 'will not be postponed,' underscoring the urgency of this shift in Nigeria's security framework.

Legislative Process and Challenges

Establishing state police requires a significant constitutional amendment, which mandates passage by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. Proponents argue that state police would bring law enforcement closer to local communities, allowing for timely responses to security threats and enabling governors to have direct control over security operations in their states. They contend that the current centralized system is overstretched and inadequate for Nigeria's population, which exceeds 200 million people.

However, the debate surrounding state police also includes concerns. Critics have raised issues regarding the potential for abuse by governors, the politicization of the police force, and the financial implications of maintaining separate police forces across 36 states. There are also questions about constitutional safeguards, accountability, funding, and inter-agency coordination.

Path Forward

The President's appeal, communicated through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, underscores the administration's commitment to reforming the nation's security architecture. The move aims to address the diverse and localized nature of security threats that the federal police system has struggled to contain effectively. The call for state police has gained momentum nationwide, with state governors, traditional rulers, and security experts advocating for its establishment as a crucial solution to Nigeria's security situation.