Introduction to the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu initiated the formation of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. This group is tasked with creating the legal framework necessary for the implementation of state police across Nigeria. The event took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, represented the president.
Gbajabiamila will serve as the chairman of the committee, while other members include the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the National Security Adviser, and the Inspector-General of Police. Additional members consist of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police, and a Secretariat.
The inauguration came after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing structure consisting of the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
Key Objectives of the National Policing Bill
President Tinubu emphasized that while the constitutional amendment creates the framework for state police, the National Policing Bill would provide the legal structure for its implementation. He stated, “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 proposed legislation aims to address several critical areas, including policing standards, state readiness, federal-state coordination, accountability, human rights safeguards, and personnel transition. Tinubu noted, “The proposed National Policing Bill will include provisions on minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability, human rights safeguards and fiscal conditions.”
He also mentioned that the committee would produce an implementation-ready draft bill immediately after the constitutional amendment process. “The Working Group has been constituted to produce a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” he said.
In addition, the committee will recommend other legal instruments required for the smooth implementation of the dual policing system. Tinubu added, “We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment.”
Reactions from Key Stakeholders
Lateef Fagbemi, the AGF, described the initiative as timely given Nigeria’s security challenges. “There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” he said. Fagbemi urged governors to ensure the speedy ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective state assemblies. “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.
Afam Osigwe, the NBA President, reaffirmed the association’s support for the state police initiative. “Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said. However, Osigwe stressed the need for adequate legal safeguards to prevent abuse of state police. “We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” he added.
Support from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State pledged the governors’ support for the speedy implementation of the reform. He stated, “The plan is that when the bill gets to our various Houses of Assembly, we will all pass it on the same day.” Abiodun described the proposed state police as a response to Nigerians’ long-standing demand for community-based policing. “This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List.”
He also highlighted the validation of regional security outfits like Amotekun in the South-West. “This bill has validated the effectiveness of community policing as demonstrated by Amotekun in the South-West,” he said. Abiodun added that the state police would significantly increase the number of security personnel across the country. “If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police.”
Abiodun commended Tinubu for initiating implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process was completed. “This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” he said.
