By our Reporter
The Federal Government has announced a seven-week roadmap for the development of a National Policing Bill and called on Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal 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 proposed National Policing Bill, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, following a meeting of the committee at the State House in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila said the Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to develop a modern, effective and accountable policing system for the country.
According to him, the proposed legislation will establish national minimum standards for state policing, define state readiness and certification requirements, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, strengthen independent oversight, uphold human rights and ensure sustainable funding. It will also provide a structured transition to a dual-policing system.
As part of the process, the Working Group has opened a two-week window for the submission of memoranda from citizens, professionals, civil society organisations, security agencies, state and local governments, academics and other stakeholders.
The submissions, Gbajabiamila said, will be reviewed and incorporated into the draft legislation before nationwide consultations are held ahead of its final presentation to the National Assembly.
The Working Group 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, before further national consultations and final approval.
The proposed National Policing Bill will define standards for recruitment, training, oversight, funding and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective and accountable policing across Nigeria.
“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing,” Gbajabiamila stated.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who represented the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the proposed state police framework as one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration.
Addressing concerns over possible federal interference, Abiodun clarified that the initiative was not an attempt by the Federal Government to control state police services but rather to establish an operational framework that would guarantee professionalism and accountability.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the proposed legislation is designed to safeguard lives and property while preventing state police from being used as instruments of political persecution.
He added that states unable to establish their own police services immediately would continue to benefit from the services of the Nigeria Police Force until they meet the prescribed operational standards.
Other participants at the meeting included the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, IGP Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN); 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 Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, who represented the National Security Adviser.
