Tinubu Launches State Police Implementation Panel as Nigeria Moves Closer to Historic Security Reform

Tinubu Launches State Police Implementation Panel as Nigeria Moves Closer to Historic Security Reform

ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has taken a major step toward establishing state police in Nigeria by inaugurating the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, a move designed to create the legal framework for implementing a dual policing system across the country.

The inauguration, held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, signals the Federal Government's determination to fast-track one of Nigeria's most significant security reforms in decades. President Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The development follows the Senate's passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the Constitution to establish both a Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.

Tinubu: National Policing Bill Will Drive State Police Implementation

Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu explained that while the constitutional amendment lays the foundation for state policing, the National Policing Bill will provide the practical legal structure needed to make the system operational.

"The Constitution Amendment Bill establishes the framework for dual policing, but it does not operationalise it. That work is left to the National Policing Bill," the President stated.

According to Tinubu, the proposed legislation will define:

- Minimum policing standards nationwide

- State readiness certification requirements

- Federal and state policing coordination

- Human rights protections

- Accountability mechanisms

- Personnel transition procedures

- Fiscal and funding conditions

He stressed that the working group has been tasked with producing a technically sound and implementation-ready draft legislation immediately after the constitutional amendment process is completed.

"We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment," Tinubu said.

High-Level Committee to Draft National Policing Bill

The Presidential Working Group will be chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, with membership drawn from Nigeria's top security and legal institutions.

Members include:

- Attorney-General of the Federation

- National Security Adviser

- Inspector-General of Police

- President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

- Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF)

- Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police

- Committee Secretariat

The panel is also expected to recommend additional legal instruments required to ensure the smooth implementation of the proposed dual policing structure nationwide.

Attorney-General Calls for Speedy Constitutional Approval

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, described the initiative as both timely and necessary amid Nigeria's growing security challenges.

"There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck," Fagbemi said.

He appealed to state governors to work with their respective Houses of Assembly to ensure the constitutional amendment receives swift ratification across the federation.

"I appeal to the governors to do their utmost to ensure the early passage of the constitutional amendment because this is a shared responsibility," he added.

NBA Supports State Police but Warns Against Abuse

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, threw the association's full weight behind the creation of state police, arguing that Nigeria's growing population and security realities require decentralized policing.

"Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police," Osigwe stated.

However, he warned that the legislation must contain strong legal safeguards to prevent political misuse and human rights violations.

"We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression," he cautioned.

Osigwe pledged the NBA's commitment to supporting the drafting process to ensure the final law strengthens security while protecting citizens' constitutional rights.

Governors Back State Police, Promise Swift Passage

Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun assured Nigerians that governors are fully committed to the success of the reform.

According to him, governors plan to work together to ensure simultaneous approval of the constitutional amendment once it reaches the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

"The plan is that when the bill gets to our various Houses of Assembly, we will all pass it on the same day," Abiodun revealed.

He described the proposed state police as a direct response to long-standing public demands for community-based policing and improved grassroots security.

"This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List," he said.

Abiodun also noted that the reform validates the success of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West, saying they have demonstrated the effectiveness of community policing.

Nearly 200,000 Additional Security Personnel Expected

Governor Abiodun projected that the introduction of state police could dramatically strengthen Nigeria's security architecture.

According to him, if each of the 36 states recruits approximately 6,000 police personnel, the country could gain nearly 200,000 additional officers to complement the existing Federal Police Force.

He further commended President Tinubu for beginning implementation planning before the constitutional amendment process is completed, describing the move as evidence of proactive governance.

"This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation," Abiodun said.

Why the State Police Reform Matters

If successfully implemented, the proposed state police system is expected to reshape Nigeria's security landscape by improving community policing, enhancing rapid response to local security threats, strengthening intelligence gathering, and reducing the burden on the Federal Police.

The National Policing Bill is widely seen as the critical legal instrument that will determine how effectively Nigeria transitions into a dual policing system while ensuring accountability, professionalism, and the protection of citizens' rights.