Tinubu Inaugurate Committee to Draft National Policing Bill for State Police
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don inaugurate the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill to prepare the legal framework wey go guide the implementation of State Police across Nigeria.
The inauguration happen on Tuesday for the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the President was represented by him Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the Presidency, the move follows the passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026 by the National Assembly, which proposes a dual policing system made up of the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
Tinubu explain say although the constitutional amendment creates the foundation for State Police, the proposed National Policing Bill go provide the detailed legal structure for how the system go operate.
“The Constitution Amendment Bill creates the framework for dual policing, but e never provide how e go work. Na the National Policing Bill go handle that aspect,” the President said.
Bill Go Set Standards for State Police
According to Tinubu, the proposed legislation go include provisions on:
- Minimum policing standards;
- Certification of states before they fit operate State Police;
- Coordination between federal and state police;
- Accountability measures;
- Human rights protection; and
- Financial requirements for implementation.
The President said the committee’s assignment na to prepare an implementation-ready draft bill that go quickly move to the National Assembly immediately the constitutional amendment process is completed.
He added that government no want waste time before beginning preparations for the new policing structure.
Gbajabiamila to Lead Committee
Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila go chair the committee.
Other members include 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.
Governors Promise Support
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State pledged the full support of governors to ensure quick passage of the bill by state Houses of Assembly.
According to him, State Police will bring security closer to communities and build on the success of regional security outfits like Amotekun.
He added that if each state recruits about 6,000 officers, Nigeria could gain nearly 200,000 additional security personnel to complement the existing Federal Police.
NBA Calls for Safeguards
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the initiative as timely, urging governors to speed up the ratification of the constitutional amendment.
Also speaking, NBA President Afam Osigwe expressed support for State Police but warned that adequate legal safeguards must be included to prevent abuse of power.
According to him, Nigeria can no longer rely on only one national police force, but the new system must protect citizens’ rights and ensure accountability.
The inauguration was attended by Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice from Plateau, Lagos and Ondo States, representatives of the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and other senior government officials.
