The Senate has approved a combined ₦403.1 billion Police Trust Fund budget for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years to strengthen policing and tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

The approval includes ₦170.1 billion for 2025 and ₦233 billion for 2026, with lawmakers expressing confidence that the funding will improve the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force through better equipment, infrastructure, training and other critical resources.

The 2026 budget provides for personnel costs, capital projects and overhead expenditures aimed at enhancing the police’s ability to combat terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity across the country.

The Senate’s decision comes amid renewed calls for stronger security measures as communities continue to grapple with rising crime and violent attacks in several parts of Nigeria.

In a related development, President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a bill seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and replace it with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026.

The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system by addressing procedural gaps that have slowed the delivery of justice. It also proposes the establishment of a criminal justice monitoring council to oversee implementation of the law in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts.

According to the President, the bill will promote the use of technology, introduce innovative measures and improve the implementation of criminal justice reforms by relevant institutions.

The Senate has referred the bill to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration.