By Dennis Okechukwu
The Federal Government has launched a seven-week roadmap for the development of the proposed National Policing Bill, inviting Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy recommendations to shape a legal and operational framework for state policing.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, after the group’s meeting 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 for Nigeria.
He said the proposed legislation would establish national minimum standards for policing, define state readiness and certification requirements, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, strengthen independent oversight, protect human rights, guarantee sustainable funding, and provide a structured transition to a dual-policing system.
The Working Group has opened a two-week window for citizens, civil society organisations, security agencies, academics, professional bodies, and state and local governments to submit memoranda and policy proposals. The contributions will be reviewed and incorporated into the draft bill before a nationwide consultation and eventual submission to the National Assembly.
The committee has adopted a seven-week work plan running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, ahead of broader stakeholder consultations and final approval.
The proposed National Policing Bill will outline standards for recruitment, training, funding, oversight, and transition arrangements aimed at ensuring an accountable, effective, and professional policing system nationwide.
Gbajabiamila stressed that any state seeking to establish its own police service must demonstrate credible systems for recruitment, vetting, training, remuneration, pensions, equipment, detention facilities, complaints management, discipline, data management, firearms control, independent oversight, and financial sustainability before commencing operations.
Speaking at the meeting, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the introduction of state policing as one of the most significant reforms of the Tinubu administration.
Addressing concerns over possible federal interference, Abiodun said the proposed law is intended to provide a uniform operational framework and not to centralise control of state police services.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the legislation is designed to strengthen the protection of lives and property while preventing state police from being used as instruments of political persecution.
He added that states unable to immediately establish their own police services would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they satisfy the required standards.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe; Chairman of the Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (Rtd.); Head of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brig.-Gen. Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.