The Federal Government has commenced a seven-week process to develop a National Policing Bill and is inviting Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals to help shape the legal framework for the establishment of state police across the country.
The decision was announced on Monday following a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the State House in Abuja.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws to create a modern and effective policing system that accommodates state police while maintaining national standards.
He said the proposed legislation would establish minimum operational standards for policing nationwide, define the requirements states must meet before establishing police services, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, provide independent oversight mechanisms, protect human rights, guarantee sustainable funding, and outline the transition to a dual policing system.
Gbajabiamila announced that the public consultation process would begin with a two-week window for the submission of memoranda by citizens, civil society organisations, professional bodies, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders.
He explained that contributions received would be incorporated into the draft bill before it undergoes further national consultations ahead of its transmission to the National Assembly.
“The Working Group has adopted a seven-week work schedule running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. Under this timeline, the draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, after which broader stakeholder consultations will precede its final approval,” he said.
Gbajabiamila stressed that no state would be allowed to establish its own police service without first demonstrating adequate capacity.
“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, remuneration, pensions, equipment, detention facilities, complaints management, discipline, data management, firearms control, independent oversight, and financial sustainability before it begins policing,” he said.
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Speaking at the meeting, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who represented the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described state policing as one of the most significant reforms being pursued by the Tinubu administration.
Addressing concerns that the Federal Government could exercise undue control over state police, Abiodun said the proposed law was intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise authority.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, said the proposed National Policing Bill would strengthen the protection of lives and property while ensuring that state police structures are not used for political intimidation or persecution.
He added that states unable to immediately establish their own police services would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they meet the prescribed standards.
The meeting was attended by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; Chairman of the Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (retd.); Head of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, who represented the National Security Adviser.
