FG Seeks Public Input on National Policing Bill

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Federal Government has commenced the process of developing a legal framework for state policing, inviting Nigerians and key stakeholders to submit memoranda and policy proposals on the proposed National Policing Bill.

The initiative is part of efforts to establish a modern policing system that will define the operations, funding, oversight and accountability of state police services across the country. The Presidential Working Group has also adopted a seven-week roadmap to conclude work on the proposed legislation.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, announced the development after the group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to produce a comprehensive legal framework for state policing.

The proposed law will establish national minimum standards for state police services, define state readiness and certification requirements, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, strengthen independent oversight, guarantee sustainable funding and provide an orderly transition to a dual-policing structure.

The Federal Government said the call for memoranda would remain open for two weeks to enable citizens, civil society organisations, security agencies, professional bodies, academics, and state and local governments to make inputs. The contributions will be reviewed and incorporated into the draft bill before wider national consultations and transmission to the National Assembly.

The Working Group has scheduled its assignment to run from July 27 to September 14, 2026, while the draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, ahead of nationwide consultations before its final approval.

Gbajabiamila said any state seeking to establish a police service must satisfy stringent operational and accountability requirements before it can commence operations.

“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,” he said.

Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described state policing as one of the landmark reforms of the Tinubu administration, stressing that the proposed law was intended to provide an operational framework and not to place state police under federal control.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the proposed legislation would protect lives and property while preventing state police from becoming instruments of political persecution.

He added that states not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they met the prescribed requirements.