The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu following the Senate’s approval of a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, describing the development as a major step toward strengthening the country’s security architecture.
On Thursday, June 26, 2026, in Lagos, south-west Nigeria, Sanwo-Olu issued a statement commending the passage of 26 clauses of the constitutional amendment bill by the Senate, saying it marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing security and governance reforms. The statement followed the Senate’s approval of the proposed framework for the creation of State Police as part of broader constitutional changes.
Sanwo-Olu said the development represented one of the most important reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history, particularly in relation to efforts aimed at improving grassroots security and enhancing the effectiveness of policing across the federation.
He said the establishment of State Police would help address persistent security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes affecting several parts of the country.
According to him, decentralising policing powers would allow states to respond more quickly and effectively to security threats within their jurisdictions, compared to the current centralised policing structure.
The governor said President Tinubu had long supported the idea of State Police, noting that the president had advocated for decentralised security reforms since his tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.
He said the approval of the bill by the Senate represented the realisation of a long-standing policy vision that has been part of national security debates for decades.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the creation of State Police would significantly strengthen efforts to combat criminal networks operating across states, particularly those involved in violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism.
He added that improved policing at the state level would enhance intelligence gathering and improve coordination between local communities and security agencies.
The governor described the Senate’s action as a demonstration of legislative commitment to addressing Nigeria’s evolving security needs through constitutional reform.
He commended President Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as a strong advocate of restructuring and governance reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of public institutions.
Sanwo-Olu said the President’s consistent support for decentralised governance reflected a broader commitment to strengthening federalism in Nigeria.
He noted that security remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the country, and that reforms such as State Police were necessary to ensure long-term stability and development.
The governor said the passage of the bill had raised expectations among Nigerians who have long called for reforms to the country’s policing system.
He urged continued collaboration between the National Assembly, the executive, and state governments to ensure smooth implementation of the proposed constitutional changes.
Sanwo-Olu also emphasized that effective security reform would require adequate funding, training, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that State Police structures operate professionally and within the rule of law.
He said the success of the initiative would depend on how well federal and state authorities coordinate its implementation after full constitutional approval.
The statement reflects growing political momentum around security restructuring in Nigeria, where debates over decentralisation of policing have intensified in response to persistent insecurity in several regions.
The Senate’s approval of the bill now represents a key legislative step, though it still requires additional constitutional procedures before full enactment.
As discussions continue, the proposal for State Police remains one of the most significant governance reforms currently under consideration in Nigeria’s political system.
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