The Senate of Nigeria on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to repeal the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019 and replace it with a new framework to be known as the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2026.
Leading debate on the bill, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele said the proposed legislation is designed to provide sustainable funding for training, equipment, and welfare of the Nigeria Police Force amid worsening security challenges.
He noted that the police are currently overstretched by threats such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and communal violence, while also struggling with inadequate funding and outdated operational tools.
Bamidele said the existing Trust Fund law had not achieved its full objectives due to weaknesses in governance structure, funding consistency, transparency, and project execution.
The new bill proposes a broader and more stable funding model, including one per cent of Federation Account revenue, government grants, donor support, and private sector contributions.
It also seeks to improve police welfare, modernise equipment, strengthen forensic and digital capabilities, and upgrade training institutions across the country.
Senator Abba Moro supported the proposal, describing it as timely, while urging lawmakers to ensure proper funding provisions for effective policing.
Senator Abdul Ningi also backed the bill but stressed the need for strict accountability in implementation to prevent mismanagement.
However, Senator Adamu Aliero raised constitutional concerns over proposed deductions from the Federation Account, warning that consultations with subnational governments would be necessary to avoid legal disputes.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said funding provisions must comply with constitutional requirements and be reflected in the annual budget process.
He assured lawmakers that the bill would undergo further scrutiny at a public hearing before final passage.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, which is expected to report back within two weeks.
