The Senate on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, advanced a pivotal security sector reform bill aimed at overhauling the financial and operational framework of the Nigeria Police Force. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1030), passed its second reading following a lead debate by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).
The bill seeks to repeal the existing 2019 Act and enact a more robust legal framework that addresses modern security imperatives with a view to strengthening funding, accountability, and operational efficiency within the Nigeria Police Force. Central to the reform is the provision of sustainable funding specifically earmarked for the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment, advanced tactical training, and the general improvement of personnel welfare.
Leading the debate, Senator Bamidele emphasized that the 2026 Act is designed to transform the Nigeria Police Force into a more professional and technology-driven institution. The bill focuses on funding the purchase of specialized operational vehicles, drones, and communication hardware, providing for the retraining of personnel both locally and internationally to handle asymmetric security threats and ensuring that infrastructure development, including the renovation of barracks and police stations, is prioritized to boost officer morale.
In response to previous concerns regarding the management of the fund, the new bill introduces stricter oversight mechanisms. Lawmakers noted that the 2026 framework includes enhanced reporting requirements to the National Assembly, aimed at ensuring that every naira disbursed is directly linked to an improved security outcome. If passed, the bill is expected to enhance the capacity of the police to tackle security challenges and improve service delivery across the country.
Following the successful second reading, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs for further scrutiny.
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