By Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to develop the legal framework for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.
The inauguration, held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was performed on the President’s behalf by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The move follows the passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, by the National Assembly, which proposes a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said while the constitutional amendment provides the framework for state policing, the proposed National Policing Bill would establish the legal structure needed for its implementation.
“The Constitution Amendment Bill establishes the framework for dual policing, but it does not operationalise it. That work is left to the National Policing Bill,” the President said.
He explained that the proposed legislation would address key issues required for the smooth implementation of the new policing structure, including minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability mechanisms, human rights safeguards and fiscal conditions.
According to him, the committee has been mandated to produce an implementation-ready draft bill for transmission to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process is completed.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” Tinubu added.
The President named Gbajabiamila as chairman of the committee, with members including the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police. A secretariat will provide administrative support to the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, pledged the support of governors for the speedy implementation of the state police initiative.
He said the governors were prepared to fast-track consideration of the constitutional amendment in their respective state Houses of Assembly once transmitted.
Abiodun described the proposed state police as a response to the long-standing demand by Nigerians for community-based policing.
“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List,” he said.
The governor noted that the initiative builds on the successes of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West and would significantly boost security personnel across the country.
“If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police,” he said.
He also commended President Tinubu for initiating implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process is concluded, describing the move as evidence of proactive governance.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the initiative as timely in view of the country’s prevailing security challenges.
“There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” he said.
Fagbemi urged state governors to ensure the prompt ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective legislatures.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), reaffirmed the association’s support for state police, saying Nigeria can no longer be effectively policed by a single national police force.
While endorsing the initiative, Osigwe stressed the need for adequate legal safeguards to prevent abuse.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” he said.
He pledged the NBA’s commitment to supporting the committee in producing legislation that would strengthen national security while protecting the rights of citizens.
The inauguration was attended by Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice from Plateau, Lagos and Ondo States, representatives of the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser, as well as other senior government officials.
