The Federal Government has announced a seven-week roadmap for the development of the proposed National Policing Bill, calling on Nigerians and key stakeholders to contribute ideas that will help shape the future of policing across the country.
The announcement was made after a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill held at the State House in Abuja. The meeting was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also heads the Working Group.
According to Gbajabiamila, the committee has opened a two-week window for the submission of memoranda and policy recommendations from citizens, security experts, civil society organizations, professional bodies, academics, state and local governments, and other interested groups.
He explained that the Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, existing police regulations, and other relevant laws to create a modern and effective legal structure for state policing in Nigeria.
The proposed National Policing Bill aims to establish national minimum standards for policing while outlining the conditions states must meet before operating their own police services. The framework will also define jurisdictional responsibilities, create independent oversight mechanisms, protect human rights, provide sustainable funding models, and ensure a smooth transition to a dual-policing system involving both federal and state police.
The committee has adopted a seven-week work plan running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. Under the schedule, the draft Executive Bill will be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, before wider national consultations are conducted ahead of its submission to the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation will also establish clear guidelines for police recruitment, training, funding, accountability, oversight, and operational standards nationwide.
Gbajabiamila stressed that no state would be allowed to commence policing activities without meeting strict requirements relating to recruitment, background checks, personnel training, salaries, pensions, operational equipment, detention facilities, complaints management, disciplinary systems, data management, firearms control, independent oversight, and financial sustainability.
Speaking during the meeting, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who represented the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the proposed state police initiative as one of the landmark reforms of President Tinubu’s administration. He dismissed concerns that the Federal Government intends to dominate state police operations, explaining that the proposed law is designed to provide a legal and operational framework rather than centralize control.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, also emphasized that the bill is intended to strengthen the protection of lives and property while ensuring that state police structures are not abused for political intimidation or persecution.
He further noted that states that are not immediately prepared to establish their own police services will continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they satisfy the required operational and institutional standards.
The meeting was attended by several senior government officials and security stakeholders, including Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu, Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe, Justice Abdullahi Liman (Rtd.), Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Nnadubem Moghalu, and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.
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The Federal Government says public participation in the consultation process is expected to strengthen the proposed legislation and ensure that Nigeria’s future policing system is professional, accountable, effective, and responsive to the country’s evolving security needs.
