ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Senate has passed a bill seeking to increase the statutory allocation to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account, a move aimed at boosting police funding, operational effectiveness, and personnel welfare.
The proposed legislation, titled the Police Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1030), scaled third reading after the Senate considered and adopted a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Mallam-Madori Ahmed.
Presenting the committee’s report, Ahmed urged lawmakers to approve the executive bill, which seeks to establish a stronger legal and institutional framework for financing and supporting the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the report, the bill is intended to provide sustainable funding for police training, procurement of security equipment, acquisition of operational assets, and improved welfare for personnel. It is also expected to enhance accountability, efficiency, and service delivery within the Force.
Senators noted that the legislation would strengthen Nigeria’s policing architecture by improving intelligence gathering and bolstering efforts to combat crime and insecurity nationwide.
One of the major provisions of the bill is the proposed increase in the statutory allocation to the Police Trust Fund from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account. The proposal generated extensive debate among lawmakers because of its potential fiscal implications.
Sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill seeks to repeal the existing Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act of 2019 and replace it with a broader framework designed to address persistent challenges facing the police.
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Leading the debate before the bill passed second reading, Bamidele described the proposal as a strategic national security intervention aimed at tackling chronic underfunding, poor infrastructure, obsolete equipment, and welfare challenges within the Force.
He argued that emerging security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and cybercrime, require a modern, well-funded police institution capable of responding effectively to contemporary security challenges.
The Senate Leader explained that the proposed funding model extends beyond allocations from the Federation Account and includes development levies, government interventions, international grants, and private-sector contributions.
He added that the bill introduces a strengthened governance framework featuring a multi-stakeholder board and a Project Implementation Committee to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and efficient execution of projects.
According to Bamidele, the objectives of the legislation include establishing a more robust and accountable Police Trust Fund, guaranteeing predictable and sustainable funding streams, improving the operational and technological capabilities of the police, enhancing personnel welfare and professionalism, and supporting modern policing strategies in line with global best practices.
Under the proposed funding arrangement, the Trust Fund will receive resources from: One per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account; Development levies as provided under relevant tax laws; Grants and interventions from federal, state, and local governments; Donations and support from bilateral and multilateral development partners; and Contributions and endowments from the private sector.
Bamidele said the diversified funding structure would reduce reliance on annual budgetary allocations and ensure long-term sustainability.
He further explained that resources generated through the scheme would be directed toward critical areas, including the procurement of modern security equipment and operational tools, deployment of digital surveillance systems and forensic technology, construction and rehabilitation of police facilities, strengthening of training institutions, enhancement of intelligence gathering and operational efficiency, emergency response interventions during internal security crises, and improved welfare packages for police officers and personnel.
With its passage by the Senate, the bill will proceed to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration before it can be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.