Gbajabiamila Says National Policing Bill Draft Ready for Review

The draft National Policing Bill, 2026, designed to establish a dual policing system in Nigeria comprising federal and state police services, has been completed and submitted for legislative drafting review, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has announced.

Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, said the group had concluded the drafting stage and submitted the proposed legislation alongside 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for validation.

The documents were submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on October 19, in accordance with the working group's timetable.

He explained that the ministry would examine the bills to ensure they complied with legislative drafting standards and conventions and did not conflict with existing laws.

The Ministry of Justice is expected to return the validated drafts to the working group by October 30 for final consideration before they are presented to President Bola Tinubu. The submission to the President will mark the conclusion of the group's assignment, after which the proposed legislation is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly.

According to Gbajabiamila, the bill seeks to provide the constitutional and legislative framework required to operate a dual policing structure, consisting of a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

He said the working group remained committed to producing a comprehensive legislative proposal through a rigorous and transparent process.

The drafting process is taking place alongside the consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the state Houses of Assembly. The constitutional amendment process must be completed before the National Policing Bill can proceed to the National Assembly.

President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on July 7, 2026, to develop an implementation-ready legal framework for state police following moves by the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to permit the establishment of state police services.

The President had explained that the constitutional amendment would establish the basis for a dual policing arrangement, while the National Policing Bill would provide the legal provisions needed to implement it.

The proposed framework is expected to address minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, coordination between federal and state authorities, accountability, human rights safeguards and funding arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Delta State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment supporting state police services. The decision followed deliberations on a request from the National Assembly for state legislatures to consider and approve the amendment.

The Speaker of the Delta Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, said the proposed reform could improve local intelligence gathering, strengthen responses to security challenges and enhance the protection of lives and property.

The constitutional amendment requires approval by at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can proceed through the remaining constitutional process.