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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated a Presidential Working Group to draft the National Policing Bill that will provide the legal framework for implementing state police across Nigeria.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who will chair the committee, the President said the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026 — already passed by the National Assembly — creates the framework for a dual policing structure but does not operationalise it, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“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,” Tinubu said.
“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.”
The working group was formed to produce “a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” the President added, explaining the urgency of preparing the implementing legislation while the constitutional amendment proceeds.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he said.
Membership of the panel includes the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police. A secretariat will provide administrative support.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun speaking for the governors, pledged the NGF’s backing for fast-tracking the reform once the bill reaches state Houses of Assembly.
“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List,” he said, describing state police as a response to long-standing calls for community-based policing.
Abiodun also highlighted the manpower potential of the reform. “If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police,” he said, and praised the Presidency for initiating implementation planning before the constitutional amendment is fully concluded.
“This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” he added.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Lateef Fagbemi, called the timing of the initiative appropriate given Nigeria’s security situation.
“There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” he said, urging governors to ensure rapid ratification of the constitutional amendment by their 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,” Fagbemi added.
NBA President Afam Osigwe affirmed the association’s support for state police while cautioning about safeguards.
“Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression.”
Also present at the Villa were the Attorneys-General and commissioners for justice of Plateau, Lagos and Ondo states, representatives of the Inspector-General of Police and the National Security Adviser, and senior government officials.
The working group is expected to deliver an implementation-ready draft to the National Assembly following the committee’s work.
