FG Unveils Seven-Week Roadmap for State Police Bill, Invites Nigerians to Submit Proposals
The Federal Government has unveiled a seven-week roadmap for the proposed National Policing Bill, marking a major step toward establishing a legal framework for state police in Nigeria.
As part of the process, the government has invited Nigerians, civil society organisations, legal experts, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to submit memoranda and policy recommendations to help shape the proposed legislation.
The announcement was made by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who disclosed that the Presidential Working Group on Police Reform is currently reviewing existing policing laws to develop a modern, accountable, and efficient policing system that addresses Nigeria's evolving security challenges.
According to Gbajabiamila, the public will have two weeks to submit memoranda and recommendations before the draft Executive Bill is finalized.
He explained that the roadmap provides for the completed draft bill to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, after which broader national consultations will take place before the legislation is transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration.
The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to establish the legal foundation for a dual federal and state policing system, clearly defining the responsibilities and operational relationship between federal and state law enforcement agencies.
The legislation will also set minimum standards for the recruitment, training, funding, discipline, operational procedures, firearms management, intelligence sharing, and oversight of state police formations.
In addition, the bill proposes strict conditions that states must satisfy before establishing their own police services. These requirements are expected to include financial sustainability, operational capacity, accountability mechanisms, and compliance with national policing standards.
Speaking on the safeguards built into the proposal, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the legislation contains measures designed to prevent state police from being used as political tools or instruments of intimidation against political opponents.
He noted that the draft includes provisions to protect human rights, strengthen independent oversight, and ensure that state police operate within constitutional and legal boundaries.
Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State described the proposed state policing framework as one of the most significant security reforms of the Tinubu administration.
He said decentralising policing would improve response times, strengthen community security, and enhance collaboration between local communities and law enforcement agencies in tackling crime.
The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria's most discussed constitutional issues for years, with supporters arguing that decentralised policing will improve security, while critics have raised concerns about potential abuse of power by state governments.
With the consultation process now underway, the Federal Government says it is seeking broad public participation to ensure the final legislation reflects national interests and strengthens Nigeria's security architecture.
If passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, the National Policing Bill could usher in one of the most far-reaching reforms of Nigeria's policing system since independence.