The Federal Government has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals on the proposed National Policing Bill as it moves to establish a legal and operational framework for state policing across the country.
The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, made the announcement on Monday after the group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.
He said the call for memoranda would remain open for two weeks, giving citizens, civil society organisations, security agencies, professional bodies, academics, and state and local governments the opportunity to contribute to the proposed legislation.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Working Group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to develop a comprehensive legal framework for state policing.
He said the proposed bill would establish national minimum standards for state police, define state readiness and certification requirements, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, provide for independent oversight, safeguard human rights, ensure sustainable funding and outline a structured transition to a dual policing system.
“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.
He disclosed that the Presidential Working Group has adopted a seven-week work programme running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Tinubu on September 3 before undergoing wider national consultations ahead of its transmission to the National Assembly.
Governor of Ogun State and representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, described the proposed state police system as one of the landmark reforms of the Tinubu administration.
“This is one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration. There is no Federal Government attempt to control State Police. The proposed legislation is intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise control,” Abiodun said.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, said the bill is designed to strengthen security while preventing the misuse of state police.
“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 said.
He added that states that are not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to benefit from the services of the Nigeria Police Force until they meet the required standards.
The proposed National Policing Bill will also set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective and accountable policing nationwide.