The House of Representatives has passed the state police bill, effectively making way for the decentralisation of the Nigerian policing architecture.

The resolution followed the voting by 289 lawmakers in favour of state police during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

Recall that the House committed Thursday’s plenary to voting on the State Police Bill following the spike in killings, kidnappings, and banditry in the past few months.

The session was not without its fair share of drama, as shortly after the lawmakers settled down for the business of the day, Kaduna lawmaker, Bashir Zubairu, moved a point of order, explaining that the document on the proposed state police put together by the House Committee on Constitution Review got to the lawmakers only on Thursday afternoon.

Recognised to speak by the speaker, Zubairu said, “Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it.”

Zubairu, a member of the African Democratic Congress, was ruled out of order, allowing the process to proceed.

While the Speaker took members through the clauses, voices shouting “Point of Order” could be heard, but the presiding officer ignored them.

Before the voting began, Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, noting that the exercise would be conducted based on attendance.

Out of the 290 members in attendance, 289 voted in favour of state police while one voted against. The Speaker abstained from voting.

HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.

The National Assembly is set to pass the constitutional amendment bill establishing state police this week, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has disclosed, describing the reform as long overdue in view of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District said the National Assembly had concluded consultations with key stakeholders and was ready to fast-track the amendment process.

According to him, the amendment would be separated from the broader constitutional review exercise to ensure speedy passage and transmission to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.

“A cross-section of Nigerians has made it abundantly clear that there cannot be a better time to establish state police than now. We have reached a firm conclusion that we will pass the constitutional amendment to make provision for state police, and this will come to fruition this week,” Bamidele said.

He disclosed that consultations had involved the National Assembly leadership, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Inspector-General of Police and other critical stakeholders.

The Senate Leader also revealed that President Bola Tinubu and a majority of state governors support the proposal, expressing confidence that the required approval from two-thirds of state assemblies would be secured.

On the controversy surrounding calls for a probe into military spending amid rising insecurity, Bamidele defended the Senate’s decision to reject the motion, insisting that placing the armed forces under public scrutiny while they are actively engaged in counter-terrorism operations would be counterproductive.

He said the military was confronting an unconventional enemy and had continued to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism despite difficult circumstances.

“We cannot put our military on trial in the middle of a war. Accountability mechanisms already exist through the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force, which carry out oversight responsibilities,” he stated.

Bamidele argued that significant progress was being made against insurgents, adding that recent attacks by terrorists reflected desperation arising from heavy losses suffered during military operations.

The Senate Leader also dismissed claims that the 10th National Assembly had become a “rubber stamp” of the Executive, saying lawmakers had consistently engaged the Presidency behind closed doors to resolve disagreements before bills reached the floor.

According to him, constructive collaboration between the legislature and the executive should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We are not a rubber stamp Senate. We simply chose to resolve disagreements privately rather than perform them publicly,” he said.

On electoral reforms, Bamidele maintained that the Electoral Act should not be amended in the heat of political contests, stressing that any review should take place after elections and without retroactive effect.

He also reaffirmed his support for the publication of legislators’ salaries and allowances, saying greater transparency would help dispel public misconceptions about lawmakers’ earnings and benefits.

Regarding anti-kidnapping legislation, Bamidele disclosed that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill and measures prescribing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers remain on course and would be concluded alongside related constitutional amendments.

Reflecting on the performance of the 10th Senate, he identified the controversy surrounding the suspension of a senator and allegations of gender insensitivity as one of the institution’s lowest moments.

However, he highlighted several legislative achievements, including tax reforms, the student loan scheme, and the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions across the country.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the Senate’s reforms, particularly the state police initiative and tax legislation, would strengthen national security, deepen democratic governance and provide long-term economic benefits for Nigerians.

The House of Representatives has passed the state police bill, effectively making way for the decentralisation of the Nigerian policing architecture.

The resolution followed the voting by 289 lawmakers in favour of state police during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

Recall that the House committed Thursday’s plenary to voting on the State Police Bill following the spike in killings, kidnappings, and banditry in the past few months.

The session was not without its fair share of drama, as shortly after the lawmakers settled down for the business of the day, Kaduna lawmaker, Bashir Zubairu, moved a point of order, explaining that the document on the proposed state police put together by the House Committee on Constitution Review got to the lawmakers only on Thursday afternoon.

Recognised to speak by the speaker, Zubairu said, “Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it.”

Zubairu, a member of the African Democratic Congress, was ruled out of order, allowing the process to proceed.

While the Speaker took members through the clauses, voices shouting “Point of Order” could be heard, but the presiding officer ignored them.

Before the voting began, Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, noting that the exercise would be conducted based on attendance.

Out of the 290 members in attendance, 289 voted in favour of state police while one voted against. The Speaker abstained from voting.

HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.

The National Assembly is set to pass the constitutional amendment bill establishing state police this week, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has disclosed, describing the reform as long overdue in view of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, the lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District said the National Assembly had concluded consultations with key stakeholders and was ready to fast-track the amendment process.

According to him, the amendment would be separated from the broader constitutional review exercise to ensure speedy passage and transmission to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.

“A cross-section of Nigerians has made it abundantly clear that there cannot be a better time to establish state police than now. We have reached a firm conclusion that we will pass the constitutional amendment to make provision for state police, and this will come to fruition this week,” Bamidele said.

He disclosed that consultations had involved the National Assembly leadership, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President, the Inspector-General of Police and other critical stakeholders.

The Senate Leader also revealed that President Bola Tinubu and a majority of state governors support the proposal, expressing confidence that the required approval from two-thirds of state assemblies would be secured.

On the controversy surrounding calls for a probe into military spending amid rising insecurity, Bamidele defended the Senate’s decision to reject the motion, insisting that placing the armed forces under public scrutiny while they are actively engaged in counter-terrorism operations would be counterproductive.

He said the military was confronting an unconventional enemy and had continued to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism despite difficult circumstances.

“We cannot put our military on trial in the middle of a war. Accountability mechanisms already exist through the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force, which carry out oversight responsibilities,” he stated.

Bamidele argued that significant progress was being made against insurgents, adding that recent attacks by terrorists reflected desperation arising from heavy losses suffered during military operations.

The Senate Leader also dismissed claims that the 10th National Assembly had become a “rubber stamp” of the Executive, saying lawmakers had consistently engaged the Presidency behind closed doors to resolve disagreements before bills reached the floor.

According to him, constructive collaboration between the legislature and the executive should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We are not a rubber stamp Senate. We simply chose to resolve disagreements privately rather than perform them publicly,” he said.

On electoral reforms, Bamidele maintained that the Electoral Act should not be amended in the heat of political contests, stressing that any review should take place after elections and without retroactive effect.

He also reaffirmed his support for the publication of legislators’ salaries and allowances, saying greater transparency would help dispel public misconceptions about lawmakers’ earnings and benefits.

Regarding anti-kidnapping legislation, Bamidele disclosed that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill and measures prescribing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers remain on course and would be concluded alongside related constitutional amendments.

Reflecting on the performance of the 10th Senate, he identified the controversy surrounding the suspension of a senator and allegations of gender insensitivity as one of the institution’s lowest moments.

However, he highlighted several legislative achievements, including tax reforms, the student loan scheme, and the establishment of new federal tertiary institutions across the country.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the Senate’s reforms, particularly the state police initiative and tax legislation, would strengthen national security, deepen democratic governance and provide long-term economic benefits for Nigerians.