Politics

Council of State Increases Police Fund Allocation, Makes NPTF Permanent

The Council of State has approved a significant boost in funding for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), raising its statutory allocation from 0.5 percent to 1 percent of the federation account, while also making the fund a permanent institution.

Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, briefed State House correspondents on Thursday at the end of the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. He said the NPTF, established in 2019, was previously constrained by a six-year “sunset clause” that limited long-term planning and hindered sustainable police reforms.

“The Nigerian Police Trust Fund was created to support training and retraining of police personnel, improve welfare, and enhance the operational capacity of the police through modern equipment, vehicles, technology, and crime-fighting tools,” Gaidam said.

The council approved the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act, 2025, which removes the sunset clause and institutionalises the fund as a permanent agency.

“The increase to 1 percent of the federation account will provide a financial buffer for critical police functions, particularly during budgetary delays or constraints,” the minister added.

Gaidam further disclosed that the council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to incorporate the changes into an executive bill for transmission to the National Assembly.

With the reforms, the NPTF is expected to continue driving police modernisation, enhance public safety, and improve accountability within the force.

Olayinka Babatunde