The Senate has approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund to strengthen policing and enhance the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, and other security threats across the country.
The approval covers ₦170.1 billion for the 2025 fiscal year and ₦233 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
According to the Senate, the 2026 budget will fund personnel costs, capital projects, and overhead expenditures aimed at improving the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Lawmakers expressed confidence that the funding would provide critical equipment, modern infrastructure, improved training, and other resources needed to enhance police operations and tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
The approval comes amid increasing concerns over insecurity, with many Nigerians urging the government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded to the Senate a bill seeking to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system through the repeal and reenactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The proposed legislation seeks to replace the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s legal and criminal justice framework.
A major feature of the bill is the establishment of a Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, which will oversee the implementation of the law in courts within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other federal courts nationwide.
In a letter read during plenary, President Tinubu said the proposed legislation is intended to address procedural gaps and long-standing challenges that have slowed the administration of justice.
He added that the bill would modernise Nigeria’s criminal justice system by promoting the use of technology, introducing innovative reforms, and improving the implementation of the law by relevant institutions.
The proposed bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.
