Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele says the National Assembly will transmit the State Police (Constitution Alteration) Bill, 2026, to President Bola Tinubu for assent this week.

Mr Bamidele disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. He said 32 state assemblies approved the bill, thereby meeting the constitutional requirement under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, four other State Houses of Assembly are expected to submit their reports before the National Assembly resumes on Tuesday. He said the development marked significant progress in efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing system after more than 15 years of unsuccessful attempts.

Mr Bamidele explained that the proposed constitutional amendment would establish the Federal Police Service and State Police Services. He said the initiative was designed to promote community-based policing within constitutional safeguards, contrary to concerns that it could create ethnic or state armies.

The Senate leader said the National Assembly was determined to fulfil Nigerians’ aspirations for improved security through proactive and evidence-based legislation.

He restated that the legislature’s effectiveness should be measured by the impact of its laws on citizens rather than the number of bills passed.

The Senate leader also highlighted the National Assembly’s legislative achievements, including the Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024 and the National Social Investment Programmes Act, 2023.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed more than N204 billion to applicants across 323 tertiary institutions nationwide.

According to him, the beneficiaries included students from 89 colleges, 108 polytechnics and 126 universities, helping to reduce dropout rates in tertiary institutions.

Mr Bamidele also listed the Minimum Wage Amendment Act, 2024; Tax Reform Acts, 2025; Investments and Securities Act, 2025; and Electoral Act, 2026, among legislative achievements. Others included the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2024, and Regional Development Commissions Acts, which he said had strengthened economic development and public institutions.

Mr Bamidele reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to press freedom, an open parliament and continuous engagement with journalists. However, he urged media stakeholders to address irresponsible social media practices, including character assassination, misinformation, blackmail and deliberate distortion of facts.

He said such activities had affected individuals and public institutions, stressing the need for responsible information dissemination in the interest of national development.

(NAN)