The Federal Government (FG) has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals to support the establishment of a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.
The FG, through the Presidential Working Group, disclosed that it is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.
The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, made the disclosure after the Working Group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga explained that the proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness, establish certification requirements, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding.
He stated that the framework would also provide for an orderly transition to a dual-policing structure.
“The call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute. Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly,” he said.
He revealed that the Working Group has adopted a seven-week work programme running from July 27 to September 14, 2026.
The draft Executive Bill is scheduled to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, after which national consultations will be held before the bill is finalised and submitted for approval.
The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide.
“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 said.
The representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described State Police as a landmark reform, stressing that the initiative is one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration.
Responding to concerns about federal overreach, Governor Abiodun clarified that there is no federal attempt to control State Police, adding that the proposed legislation is intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise control.
On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, noted that the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to guarantee the security of lives and property while ensuring that the establishment of state police does not become a tool for political persecution.
Fagbemi pointed out that states not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to benefit from the presence of the Federal Police until they meet the required standards.
Other participants at the meeting included 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, Professor Olu Ogunsakin; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.
