NEWS
FG Unveils Seven-Week Roadmap for State Police Bill, Invites Nigerians to Shape Historic Reform
The Federal Government has officially commenced the process of establishing a legal framework for state policing in Nigeria, unveiling a comprehensive seven-week roadmap for the proposed National Policing Bill and calling on Nigerians from all walks of life to actively participate in shaping the future of policing across the country.
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, following a high-level meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Presidential Working Group has begun an extensive review of the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws as part of efforts to develop a modern, accountable, and effective policing system that addresses Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He explained that the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to establish national minimum standards for state police services, define state readiness and certification requirements, clarify operational responsibilities, guarantee independent oversight, safeguard human rights, and create a sustainable funding framework capable of supporting efficient policing across the federation.
As part of the consultation process, the Federal Government has opened a two-week window for citizens, civil society organisations, security agencies, academics, professional bodies, as well as state and local governments to submit memoranda and policy recommendations. The contributions received during this period will be reviewed and incorporated into the draft legislation before nationwide stakeholder consultations commence.
The Presidential Working Group also adopted a seven-week work plan scheduled to run from July 27 to September 14, 2026. Under the timeline, the draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, before it is forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to professionalism and accountability, Gbajabiamila made it clear that only states capable of meeting strict operational and institutional standards would be permitted to establish their own police services.
“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.“
Also speaking at the meeting, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who represented the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the proposed state police initiative as one of the most significant reforms of the Tinubu administration. He dismissed concerns that the Federal Government intends to dominate or control state police structures, explaining that the proposed legislation is aimed at providing a clear operational framework rather than centralising authority.
Similarly, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, assured Nigerians that the proposed law is designed to strengthen security, protect lives and property, and ensure that state police organisations are not weaponised for political persecution or abuse.
He further clarified that states unable to meet the prescribed requirements immediately would continue to depend on the Nigeria Police Force until they attain the necessary standards to establish their own police services.
The crucial meeting brought together key stakeholders from the nation’s security and legal sectors, including the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, alongside other senior government officials and security chiefs.
The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reform its policing architecture, strengthen internal security, and provide states with a structured pathway toward establishing accountable and professionally managed police services.