ABUJA — The Nigerian Senate has approved legislation to extend the operational tenure of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, paving the way for continued investment in training, logistics, and equipment for the nation’s law enforcement.
During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers fast-tracked the passage of a bill amending the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, originally passed in 2019. The amendment modifies Section 2(2) of the principal legislation, which had capped the Fund’s lifespan at six years.
Speaking in support of the amendment, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who sponsored the bill, outlined the implications of the existing clause, noting that the Fund was only activated in 2022, despite its establishment three years earlier.
“The overriding objective of the bill, basically, is to amend section 2(2)
of the extant act to increase the duration of the Trust Fund, as established
by the Act,” Bamidele said.
“With the benefit of hindsight, Mr
President, my dear colleagues, the Act was enacted in 2019. However, the act
became operational in 2022. The provision of section 2 (2) of the principal
act, which established the trust fund, provides its operational scope for a
duration of six years, which will expire at the end of this month.”
Bamidele argued that without legislative intervention, the Fund would legally cease to exist — a scenario he warned could undermine gains already recorded in capacity building, welfare, and modernisation efforts within the police force.
He detailed what he described as measurable achievements since the Fund became active: procurement of operational tools, expanded training initiatives, infrastructure rehabilitation, and support for health and welfare.
“It is imperative to state that over the last few years, after the fund was
established, a lot has been achieved. Notably in the following areas:
equipment and logistics, training and capacity development; infrastructure
(rehabilitation and expansion), health and welfare initiatives,” he said.
“To
ensure that the Nigeria Police is well equipped to face emerging security
challenges, bedevilling the country.”
Deputy Minority Leader Senator Lere Oyewumi endorsed the bill, emphasising the strategic necessity of ensuring sustained funding and institutional continuity for Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
“The amendment was necessary to ensure continuation of the fund,” he noted.
The session was presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who ruled in favour of the bill’s passage after it scaled all procedural stages without objection.
With the amendment now approved, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund’s mandate is set to continue beyond its previously scheduled expiration — securing a funding stream critical to reform efforts within the police system.
The bill is expected to proceed to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for assent.