President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, setting in motion the process of developing the legal framework required for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.
The inauguration took place on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the President represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila will chair the committee, which also comprises the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police, as well as a secretariat.
The committee’s inauguration comes shortly after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes the establishment of a dual policing system consisting of the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
Speaking during the event, Tinubu explained that although the constitutional amendment provides the foundation for state policing, the National Policing Bill is necessary to make the system operational.
He said, “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.”
According to the President, the proposed legislation will define key areas such as policing standards, the readiness of states to operate police services, coordination between federal and state authorities, accountability measures, protection of human rights and conditions relating to personnel transition.
“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 noted.
Tinubu said the committee had been mandated to prepare a comprehensive draft bill that would be ready for submission to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process is concluded.
“The Working Group has been constituted to produce a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” Tinubu said.
He added that the panel would also identify and recommend additional legal instruments needed to ensure the effective rollout of the dual policing system.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he said.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the move as a necessary response to the country’s current 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.
Fagbemi also appealed to state governors to facilitate the prompt ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective Houses of Assembly.
“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 said.
Also speaking, NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN), reiterated the association’s support for the introduction of state police, arguing that the country’s security challenges require a decentralised policing structure.
“Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said.
Osigwe, however, cautioned against creating a policing system that could be abused, stressing the need for strong legal safeguards.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” he said.
He assured the committee of the NBA’s support in developing legislation that would improve security while protecting the rights of Nigerians.
Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged the governors’ commitment to ensuring the swift implementation of the reform.
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He disclosed that the plan was for all 36 state governors to work towards the simultaneous passage of the bill by their respective state legislatures once it is transmitted.
“The plan is that when the bill gets to our various Houses of Assembly, we will all pass it on the same day,” he said.
Abiodun said the proposed state police system responds to longstanding calls by Nigerians for community-based policing.
“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List.”
He further noted that the proposal builds on the achievements of regional security outfits, particularly Amotekun in the South-West.
“This bill has validated the effectiveness of community policing as demonstrated by Amotekun in the South-West,’ he said.
According to the governor, establishing state police would significantly boost Nigeria’s security workforce.
“If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police,” he said.
Abiodun also commended Tinubu for initiating the implementation process ahead of the completion of the constitutional amendment.
“This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” Abiodun said.