NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police.Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the NASS is in support of President Tinubu’s economic reforms aimed at promoting development and strengthening security.
Kano —
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says the National Assembly will accelerate support for President Bola Tinubu’s policies including establishing state policing,strengthening investments and advancing key reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy.
Mr Akpabio made the affirmation on Thursday after leading principal officers of the Senate on a traditional Sallah homage to President Tinubu at his Lagos residence.
“He (President) can’t do it alone. The National Assembly will assist him to ensure that we improve in the area of security. But it has actually improved,” Mr Akpabio said.
He noted that current security threats were largely targeted attacks on soft locations such as schools, churches and mosques, unlike previous periods marked by widespread insurgent occupation and bomb attacks.
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
” There is no part of Nigeria today where the flag of any insurgents, whether Boko Haram, is being hoisted. All those organised bomb blasts everywhere have been brought to an end,” he added
“We believe that working with him, the National Assembly can come up with a solution and a framework that will enable the states to also partake in securing lives and property, and that is in the area of state police,” he stated
Mr Akpabio disclosed that lawmakers were working on the establishment of a regulated state policing system under a national framework.
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
“We are looking at ways of creating a positive and not a negative state police, something that can have a national state police commission that will regulate conduct, promotion and training,” he said
He added that citizens also had a responsibility to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities within their communities.
On the state of the economy, Mr Akpabio commended Mr Tinubu’s reforms, saying they had repositioned Nigeria on the path of growth and stability.
“We came to appreciate Mr President for his reforms, which have done a lot to reposition Nigeria on the trajectory of growth.” Akpabio said
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
He further noted that the administration inherited serious economic challenges, including multiple exchange rates, fuel subsidy payments and unsustainable borrowing practices.
“We met multiple exchange rates. He has stopped all that. We met a situation of fuel subsidies. He has stopped all that,” Mr Akpabio stated.
He also praised the administration for ending persistent fuel queues and harmonising tax systems across the country.
The Senate President highlighted infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road corridor as major initiatives capable of transforming the economy and boosting agriculture.
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
“The Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road has about 74 dams that will revolutionise the agricultural sector in the country,” he said.
Mr Akpabio said the National Assembly remained committed to supporting policies and programmes beneficial to Nigeria’s long-term growth and development.
“We will stand by him so long as everything he proposes is positive for the future growth of this country.” he stated
He further disclosed that the National Assembly was considering increasing statutory funding for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund from 0.5 per cent to one per cent of federation revenue allocation to strengthen police infrastructure and equipment.
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
Mr Akpabio said the Senate delegation also used the visit to pray for the president, peace in the country and the safe release of Nigerians still in captivity.
Nigeria Ready For State Police_FG
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the creation of state police, declaring that Nigeria is ready for decentralised policing as soon as the necessary legal framework is in place.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a courtesy visit by the Centre for crisis communication,led by its Chairman,Maj Gen Chris Olukolade(retd) in February,said President Bola Tinubu is determined to ensure the reform becomes a reality once enabling legislation is secured.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, Rabiu Ibrahim.
“It is the desire of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that we have state police as soon as it is practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” Idris said
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
He disclosed that the President had already appealed to the National Assembly to enact the appropriate legislation to pave the way for the establishment of state police.
The minister noted that strengthening Nigeria’s internal security framework must be in harmony with reinforcing national communication systems, especially in a digital era where information spreads rapidly and shapes public perception during crises.
“In today’s digital age, crises are no longer only defined by events, but also by how information spreads as fast as it does. Digital innovation is therefore central to timely, accurate and coordinated communication, especially during moments of national importance,” he said.
Idris welcomed proposals by the centre, including the establishment of a National Crisis Communication Hub and a Crisis Communication Performance Index, describing them as initiatives that align closely with the ministry’s mandate.
NASS Backs Tinubu’s Reform Policies, State Police
He assured the delegation that the ministry would carefully study the report of the November 2025 National Symposium on Digital Innovation and Crisis Communication and examine how its recommendations could complement ongoing Federal Government reforms.
However, growing concerns on the effects of having a decentralized police system has kept emanating from both citizens and concerned groups.
In a system where political power is fiercely contested, a state-controlled police force could easily become an instrument of political expediency where governors, armed with such authority, may use it to suppress political opponents, dissenting voices, or minority groups.
