FG Unveils Seven-Week Roadmap for State Police Bill, Opens Public Consultation
FG Unveils Seven-Week Roadmap for State Police Bill, Opens Public Consultation
The Federal Government has unveiled a seven-week roadmap for the National Policing Bill and invited Nigerians to submit proposals on the proposed state police framework.
The Federal Government has unveiled a seven-week roadmap for the proposed National Policing Bill and invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy recommendations as the country moves closer to establishing a legal framework for state police.
The development marks another major step in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing architecture and create a more decentralised security system capable of responding more effectively to local security challenges.
The announcement was made by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, following a meeting of the working group at the State House in Abuja.
According to the Presidency, the working group is expected to develop a comprehensive legal and operational framework that will guide the establishment, administration and oversight of state police services across Nigeria.
Federal Government Sets Seven-Week Timeline
The Presidential Working Group has adopted a seven-week work plan running from July 27 to September 14, 2026, during which it will undertake consultations, review existing laws and prepare the proposed legislation.
The draft Executive Bill is scheduled to be presented to President Tinubu on September 3, 2026, before the Federal Government proceeds with the next stage of the legislative process.
The accelerated timetable demonstrates the administration’s determination to move the state police initiative from policy discussions towards a formal legal framework.
However, the process is not expected to involve simply creating new police formations in the states. The proposed legislation is expected to establish detailed requirements covering recruitment, training, funding, oversight, discipline, human rights protection and operational responsibilities.
Nigerians Invited to Submit Memoranda
One of the major components of the new roadmap is public participation.
The Federal Government has opened a two-week window for Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to submit memoranda and policy proposals on the proposed National Policing Bill.
The invitation is directed at a broad range of stakeholders, including citizens, civil society organisations, security agencies, academics, professional associations, state governments and local governments.
The submissions are expected to help the working group identify potential challenges and develop practical safeguards before the draft bill proceeds to broader consultations.
The Presidency said contributions received during the consultation process will be reviewed and considered for possible incorporation into the draft legislation.
Public participation could prove particularly important because state policing has generated significant debate in Nigeria over the years.
While supporters argue that policing should be brought closer to the communities it serves, critics have raised questions about political interference, funding, accountability, human rights and the possibility of state governments abusing police powers.
What the National Policing Bill Is Expected to Cover
The proposed legislation is expected to provide a national framework that establishes minimum standards for state police services.
Gbajabiamila said the working group is reviewing existing laws and regulations, including the Police Act 2020, the framework governing the Police Service Commission and other relevant police regulations.
The objective is to develop a modern policing structure that can operate effectively while maintaining professional standards and protecting citizens’ rights.
Among the areas expected to receive attention are:
- Recruitment and background checks for police personnel
- Training and professional development
- Salaries, pensions and welfare
- Police equipment and operational resources
- Custody and detention standards
- Complaints and disciplinary procedures
- Police data management
- Firearms control
- Independent oversight
- Human rights protection
- Funding and financial sustainability
- Clear operational responsibilities between federal and state police
These provisions are intended to prevent state police from becoming poorly funded or politically controlled security organisations.
States May Have to Meet Strict Requirements
A major feature of the proposed framework is that states are not expected to automatically establish police services simply because the enabling law becomes effective.
Gbajabiamila stressed that a state seeking to establish its own police service would first have to demonstrate that it possesses the institutional capacity and resources required to operate professionally.
The requirements are expected to cover recruitment, vetting, training, salaries, pensions, equipment, custody facilities, complaints mechanisms, disciplinary systems, data management, firearms control, independent oversight and sustainable financing.
This approach could create a certification system under which states must demonstrate their readiness before launching state police operations.
Such a model could help prevent significant differences in policing standards between states and ensure that citizens receive a minimum level of protection regardless of where they live.
Why State Police Matters to Nigeria
The debate over state police is closely connected to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Nigeria has a large and diverse population spread across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Security challenges also vary considerably from one region to another.
Communities face different combinations of problems, including violent crime, kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts, terrorism and other forms of criminality.
Supporters of state police believe that decentralising some policing responsibilities could improve local intelligence gathering and allow security agencies to respond more quickly to threats.
A locally based police service could potentially have greater knowledge of the communities it serves, including local languages, geography, traditional structures and community relationships.
The Presidency has previously stated that state policing is intended to strengthen grassroots security, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the protection of lives and property.
Safeguards Against Political Interference
One of the biggest concerns surrounding state police is the possibility of political abuse.
Critics have long questioned whether state police could be influenced by governors or powerful political actors and used against political opponents, activists or other citizens.
The Federal Government says the proposed National Policing Bill will address these concerns through institutional safeguards and independent oversight.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the proposed framework would focus on protecting lives and property while ensuring that state police do not become instruments of political persecution.
This issue is likely to be one of the most closely scrutinised aspects of the proposed legislation.
For state policing to gain public confidence, there will need to be clear rules on appointments, operational independence, complaints, investigations, disciplinary action and civilian oversight.
States That Are Not Ready Can Wait
The proposed framework is also expected to recognise that not every state may have the financial or institutional capacity to immediately establish a police service.
According to the Attorney-General, states that are not ready to establish their own police services would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they satisfy the required standards.
This provision could allow the system to develop gradually rather than forcing every state to establish a police service at the same time.
It could also encourage states to strengthen their financial and administrative capacity before taking responsibility for policing.
Governors Support the Reform
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who represented the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at the meeting, described the proposed state police system as one of the major reforms of the Tinubu administration.
He also dismissed concerns that the Federal Government was seeking to retain control over state police through the proposed legislation.
The position of the governors is significant because state governments will be central to the implementation of any state policing system.
The success of the initiative will depend not only on the Federal Government and National Assembly but also on the willingness and capacity of individual states to meet the standards established under the new framework.
Key Stakeholders Join the Process
The State House meeting brought together several important stakeholders involved in Nigeria’s security and justice system.
Those in attendance included Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, President of the Nigerian Bar Association Afam Osigwe, and other senior government and security officials.
The working group is also expected to draw on the expertise of professionals and institutions as it reviews existing laws and prepares the draft legislation.
The involvement of legal professionals, police authorities, security officials, civil society organisations and state governments could help ensure that the proposed framework addresses both operational realities and constitutional concerns.
State Police and Nigeria’s Security Future
The proposed National Policing Bill could become one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s security architecture in decades if successfully implemented.
For years, the country’s policing system has largely operated under a centralised structure, with the Nigeria Police Force responsible for policing across the federation.
The proposed state police model would introduce a more decentralised approach while maintaining a national policing structure.
However, the effectiveness of the reform will ultimately depend on how the system is designed and implemented.
Simply creating state police forces will not automatically solve insecurity. The new structure would require adequate funding, professional recruitment, quality training, modern equipment, effective intelligence systems and strong accountability mechanisms.
Equally important will be safeguards to prevent police institutions from becoming tools for political intimidation or human rights abuses.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority is public consultation.
Nigerians and stakeholder organisations have an opportunity to submit recommendations that could influence the content of the proposed National Policing Bill.
The working group will review the submissions alongside existing legislation and policy documents as it prepares the draft Executive Bill.
The group’s seven-week work plan is scheduled to run until September 14, 2026, while the draft bill is expected to reach President Tinubu on September 3 before being taken forward to the National Assembly.
The legislative process will ultimately determine the final shape of the proposed state police system.
The Federal Government’s seven-week roadmap represents a significant development in Nigeria’s long-running debate over state police.
By inviting public input and setting minimum standards for state police services, the administration is attempting to balance the demand for decentralised policing with concerns about professionalism, accountability, funding and human rights.
The success of the initiative will depend on the quality of the final legislation and the strength of the safeguards put in place.
For Nigerians, the most important question is not simply whether states will have their own police services, but whether the new system will deliver safer communities, faster responses to crime, stronger accountability and better protection for citizens.
As the consultation process continues, public participation will be critical in ensuring that the proposed National Policing Bill reflects Nigeria’s security realities while protecting democratic institutions and fundamental rights.
FAQ :
What is the proposed National Policing Bill?
The National Policing Bill is being developed to establish a legal and operational framework for state police services in Nigeria, including standards for recruitment, training, funding, oversight and accountability.
When will the National Policing Bill be presented to President Tinubu?
The draft Executive Bill is scheduled to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026.
Will every Nigerian state immediately establish state police?
No. States are expected to meet specified requirements and demonstrate readiness before establishing their own police services.
What happens to states that are not ready?
States that do not immediately meet the requirements are expected to continue relying on the Nigeria Police Force until they are ready.
Can state police be used for political persecution?
The Federal Government says the proposed framework will include safeguards, independent oversight and other measures designed to prevent political abuse and protect human rights.
Can Nigerians contribute to the proposed bill?
Yes. The Federal Government has opened a two-week period for citizens, civil society groups, academics, professional bodies, security agencies and governments at different levels to submit memoranda and policy recommendations.
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