The Federal Government is set to repeal and re-enact the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act 2019 to remove its six-year lifespan and make it a permanent agency dedicated to police reform and modernization.
The proposal, presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), seeks approval to transition the Trust Fund into a full-fledged agency, increase its statutory funding from 0.5% to 1% of the Federation Account, and empower it to drive long-term planning and sustainable reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.
Established in 2019, the NPTF was designed as a special intervention mechanism to provide financial support for training, equipment, infrastructure, and welfare of police personnel. However, the current Act includes a sunset clause limiting its operation to six years a constraint that stakeholders say hinders sustainable planning and continuity of reforms.
According to official documents obtained from the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Trust Fund’s objectives include supporting the training and retraining of police personnel, improving logistics and operational capacity, enhancing crime prevention and public safety, and promoting accountability and good governance within the police system.
The Fund also aims to modernize the Force through investments in technology, vehicles, communications, and crime-fighting tools, while strengthening emergency response and disaster management capacity.
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A key part of the Fund’s mission is to improve police welfare and morale, support specialized courses and skill development, and encourage private sector participation in the funding of policing initiatives.
The NPTF also serves as a financial buffer, designed to sustain critical operations during periods of budgetary shortfall or fiscal constraints. However, officials say the six-year limitation in its current form has impeded long-term development programmes and infrastructure investments needed to modernize the Force.
“Removing the sunset clause will allow for more strategic planning, sustainable investments, and continuity of reform programmes,” the document noted. “It will also ensure that the Fund becomes a standing agency capable of adapting to evolving security and policing challenges.”
The proposal before the Council further recommends that the deduction from the Federation Account currently pegged at 0.5% be increased to 1%, to enable the Trust Fund meet rising operational and infrastructure demands.
Under the new arrangement, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will be directed to incorporate all approved recommendations into a proposed Executive Bill for submission to the National Assembly.
If passed, the bill would formally repeal the NPTF Act of 2019, eliminate the expiry clause, and expand its funding sources to include contributions from individuals, corporate entities, and civil society organizations.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund has been instrumental in supporting critical police infrastructure and training since its inception. Over the past years, it has provided operational vehicles, communication gadgets, and body armor to various commands, while funding local and international training for officers.
Analysts say institutionalizing the Fund will ensure consistent support for police reform, reduce reliance on ad-hoc budgetary allocations, and reinforce public trust in law enforcement.
The proposed Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2025, if approved, is expected to mark a new phase in Nigeria’s effort to build a modern, efficient, and people-oriented police force.