President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced on Thursday that the National Assembly is prepared to support efforts aimed at establishing state police. This measure is intended to strengthen security across Nigeria. Akpabio conveyed this to journalists after leading a delegation of principal officers from the Senate on a traditional Eid-el-Kabir visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence. He affirmed that federal lawmakers are ready to collaborate with the President to develop a comprehensive framework that would enable states to play a more active role in safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.

Discussions are currently underway to create what Akpabio described as “a positive and not a negative state police.” This framework is envisioned to include a national state police commission, which would be responsible for regulating the conduct of state policing, as well as overseeing promotion, training, and other essential aspects. The Senate President stressed the importance of ensuring proper regulation, training, and promotion within these proposed state policing structures to avoid any negative implications.

Akpabio acknowledged that insecurity remains a significant challenge in certain parts of the country. However, he noted that the overall security situation has seen considerable improvement under the current administration. He highlighted a substantial reduction in organized bomb attacks and the open display of insurgent flags, such as those of Boko Haram, across Nigeria. Despite these improvements, Akpabio pointed out that insurgents have shifted their focus to “soft targets,” including schools, churches, and mosques, areas where a constant security presence might not be expected. The National Assembly is committed to continuously supporting the administration in enhancing the country's security architecture.

In a related development, Akpabio disclosed that lawmakers are considering an increase in funding for the Police Trust Fund. The proposal is to raise the allocation from 0.5 percent to one percent of revenue derived from the production account. This additional funding would be directed towards improving police infrastructure and equipment, with states also expected to contribute their share to bolster law enforcement capabilities.

Beyond security, the Senate President lauded President Tinubu’s economic reforms, asserting that they have successfully repositioned Nigeria’s economy. Akpabio noted that the current administration inherited significant economic distortions in 2023, including multiple exchange rates, unsustainable subsidies, and excessive government spending often financed through borrowing and money printing. He commended the President for effectively halting these practices, ending the era of long fuel queues, and harmonizing taxes nationwide. Akpabio reiterated the National Assembly's unwavering support for reforms deemed beneficial to Nigeria’s long-term growth and prosperity.

Furthermore, Akpabio called for increased crude oil production, emphasizing its critical role in supporting local refining efforts, particularly with the operations of the Dangote Refinery, and in boosting foreign exchange earnings, especially with the emerging practice of selling crude oil in naira. He also highlighted major infrastructure projects designed to spur economic growth and agricultural development, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road corridor. The latter, he noted, features approximately 74 dams, which have the potential to revolutionize agriculture in the country. Akpabio concluded by expressing strong optimism for Nigeria’s future, believing that sustained reforms and robust cooperation among all arms of government would lead to better days for the nation.