The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) is calling for a major expansion of its statutory funding and legal framework as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security system in response to rising cases of kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
The proposal was presented during a public hearing in Abuja organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on a bill seeking to repeal the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2019 and replace it with a new law in 2026.
Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu, urged lawmakers to increase the fund’s statutory allocation from 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent and to remove the sunset clause in the existing law, arguing that the changes are necessary for long-term sustainability. He said the proposal had been endorsed by the National Police Council, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following consultations with governors and other key security stakeholders.
According to him, increased funding would allow greater investment in modern policing infrastructure such as surveillance systems, forensic laboratories, command-and-control centres, drones, and digital policing tools. He also said additional resources would improve police welfare, training, equipment, and infrastructure including barracks and stations.
He added that removing the sunset clause would ensure stability for long-term projects and encourage partnerships with international donors, development agencies, and private-sector contributors. The NPTF also proposed expanding its funding sources to include grants, levies, intervention funds, and philanthropic donations to reduce reliance on a single revenue stream.
Sheidu said the fund had already recorded achievements since its establishment in 2019, including training programmes for officers, construction of smart police stations, provision of vehicles and patrol boats, and infrastructure upgrades across the country. He also outlined future plans such as smart police stations in federal constituencies, regional reference hospitals, command centres, and housing schemes for officers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the police remain central to national stability and economic development, noting that the trust fund has already contributed to training, infrastructure, and operational support since its creation. He added that evolving security challenges require stronger institutions and improved legal frameworks.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Ahmed Abdulhamid Mallam-Madori, said the new bill aims to address challenges in the current law, including funding uncertainties and litigation, while improving governance, transparency, and accountability.
A representative of the Attorney-General of the Federation also reportedly endorsed the bill, stating that it is consistent with the Constitution and supports the government’s security reform agenda.
