The Senate has officially begun legislative work on establishing state police, with leaders assuring that the proposed decentralized policing system will include strict measures to prevent political misuse.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, disclosed the development on Sunday.
Speaking in a congratulatory message to mark President Bola Tinubu’s 74th birthday in Abuja, Bamidele emphasized that the National Assembly is prioritizing a policing model that strengthens internal security while ensuring accountability.
He stated, “The parliament is committed to crafting a framework for a decentralised police model that will serve the interests of all regardless of their status.”
The move comes amid growing calls from stakeholders for a decentralized policing system that reflects Nigeria’s federal structure and enhances security in rural and underserved communities.
President Tinubu has expressed support for the initiative, while the Nigeria Police has submitted a comprehensive 75-page framework on state policing to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, for legislative review.
Bamidele praised Tinubu’s collaborative approach with the National Assembly in tackling insecurity and noted that the administration is employing innovative strategies to address terrorism, extremism, and violent crimes.
He said, “Tinubu has already lent his voice to the creation of a decentralised police model as part of measures to ensure the security of lives, private property and public installations across the federation.
The essence of the model is to devolve policing powers to the sub-national authorities with a view to ensuring effective governance even in the remotest part of our land.
This is one request that the National Assembly has been treating with priority.”
The Senate leader also assured that the framework would adhere to global best practices, incorporating mechanisms to prevent political interference, strengthen the justice system, discourage impunity, and safeguard human rights.
“All these initiatives are at the core of shared conviction, which the Presidency and National Assembly have been working on to secure Nigeria better,” Bamidele added.
According to the proposal submitted by the Nigeria Police, the state policing system would follow a phased 60-month implementation plan.
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The first year would focus on constitutional amendments, and strict measures would be embedded to prevent political interference.
The plan suggests a redistribution of personnel, with 60 per cent of existing police officers assigned to state commands and the remaining 40 per cent under federal control.
Under the proposed structure, Nigeria would operate a two-tier policing system: a Federal Police Service and 37 State Police Services, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The federal police would continue to handle national security issues such as terrorism, interstate crimes, and the protection of federal assets. State police units would focus on localized crimes, including armed robbery, homicide, domestic violence, and community intelligence gathering.
Beyond security, Bamidele also highlighted President Tinubu’s contributions to economic stability and national development.
The senator cited the administration’s macroeconomic reforms, noting that Nigeria’s foreign reserves increased from $35.09 billion in May 2023 to $50.02 billion in March 2026—a 42.54 per cent rise.
He also pointed to the Tax Reform Acts, 2025, which, he said, “significantly reshaped Nigeria’s fiscal landscape,” resulting in over 111 per cent increase in statutory transfers to subnational governments, improved business conditions, and enhanced tax administration across all levels of government.
Bamidele further credited these reforms with helping Nigeria avoid a deepening liquidity crisis that could have led to insolvency, praising Tinubu’s leadership and longstanding commitment to pro-democracy advocacy and national cohesion.