By Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to receive the proposed National Policing Bill for review on September 3, 2026, as the Federal Government procede with move to introduce state policing in Nigeria.
This is just as the Presidency has also launched a public website where Nigerians can submit suggestions and opinions before the bill is sent to the National Assembly.
The Chief of Staff (COS), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila stated this after a meeting of the Presidential Working Group at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, saying that the drafting process would run for seven weeks, from July 27 to September 14.
According to him, "The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on the 3rd of September,” stating that that public consultations would take place before the president gives final approval, after which the bill would be prepared for transmission to lawmakers.
Gbajabiamila described the proposed law as a major step in reforming Nigeria’s policing system, adding: "This is a monumental reform that Nigerians have debated for many years."
He further stated that the goal of the proposed law was to build “a lawful, professional and sustainable federal and state policing system” that brings security closer to communities while protecting national security and citizens’ rights.
Gbajabiamila clarified that although both chambers of the National Assembly had approved constitutional amendments on State Police, but noted that the process is not yet complete.
"The amendments still require approval from the required number of State Houses of Assembly before they can become law. Until then, the Nigeria Police Force remains the country’s only constitutionally recognised police agency," he said.
Gbajabiamila, however, stressed that State Police must not be used by governors or other political leaders to target opponents.
“No political officeholder should be able to direct the arrest of an opponent, the suppression of lawful political activity or the selective enforcement of the law,” he said, adding that Federal intervention in state policing should only happen in exceptional situations and must be evidence-based, limited and subject to review.
The Presidency also unveiled nationalpolicingbill.com, a portal where Nigerians can submit memoranda and recommendations for about two weeks, with a possible extension.
On the cost of implementing State Police, Gbajabiamila said it was too early to give an estimate, noting that the final cost would be based on detailed research and the needs of each state.
He also explained that national policing standards were intended to guarantee minimum requirements across the country, while states with greater capacity would be free to do more.
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