The Senate has moved a step closer to increasing funding for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund after passing for second reading a bill seeking to raise its statutory allocation from 0.5 percent to 1 percent of total revenue from the Federation Account.
The proposed amendment, debated on Tuesday, was led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who said the reform is aimed at strengthening the financial capacity of the police to tackle rising security challenges across the country.
Opeyemi Bamidele explained that Nigeria’s security landscape is under pressure from threats such as insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime, and communal clashes, all of which have strained the operational capacity of the police.
He argued that increased and more predictable funding would improve equipment procurement, personnel training, welfare, and the adoption of modern policing technologies.
The bill also proposes additional funding sources, including development levies, government grants, donor support, and private sector contributions, in a bid to reduce reliance on annual budget allocations.
Lawmakers supporting the bill described it as a necessary intervention to strengthen national security. However, some senators raised concerns about its constitutional implications, particularly regarding direct deductions from the Federation Account and the need for consultation with subnational governments.
Others emphasized that while the proposal is beneficial, it must be implemented with strong accountability mechanisms to prevent mismanagement of funds.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio noted that any funding structure must comply with constitutional provisions and be properly reflected in the national budget process. He assured that the bill would undergo further scrutiny at a public hearing stage before final approval.
The legislation has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, which is expected to review it and submit its report within two weeks.
