FG Unveils Roadmap for State Police, Tinubu to Receive Draft Bill in September

Government Begins Work on State Police Framework

The Federal Government has officially begun the next phase of Nigeria's long-awaited state police initiative by unveiling a seven-week roadmap for the proposed National Policing Bill.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu to Receive Draft Bill in September

According to the working group's timetable, the draft Executive Bill is scheduled to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026.

Following the President's review, the proposal will undergo wider national consultations before being finalised and transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.

Nigerians Invited to Submit Suggestions

As part of the process, the Federal Government has opened a two-week window for Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals.

Citizens, civil society organisations, security experts, academics, professional bodies, state governments, local governments, and other stakeholders have been invited to contribute ideas that could shape the final legislation.

What the New Bill Will Cover

The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to establish the legal and operational framework for state policing in Nigeria.

Among the issues expected to be addressed are:

• National minimum policing standards.

• Requirements for states seeking to establish their own police services.

• Recruitment, training, and certification of officers.

• Independent oversight mechanisms.

• Human rights protections.

• Sustainable funding.

• Clear responsibilities between federal and state police.

• An orderly transition to a dual-policing system.

Safeguards Against Political Abuse

Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi said the proposed legislation is designed to improve security while ensuring that state police cannot be used for political persecution.

The framework will require any state wishing to establish its own police service to demonstrate adequate funding, training, equipment, recruitment standards, and independent accountability before being certified to operate.

Governors Welcome the Initiative

Representing the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the proposed state police system as one of the most significant security reforms in Nigeria's democratic history.

He said the objective is not to weaken the Nigeria Police Force but to create a policing structure that allows both federal and state authorities to respond more effectively to local security challenges.

Why State Police Matters

Calls for state police have intensified in recent years due to growing concerns over insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and other violent crimes.

Supporters argue that decentralising policing would improve intelligence gathering, speed up emergency responses, and enable states to address security challenges more effectively.

However, critics have raised concerns that state governors could misuse state police for political purposes, making strong legal safeguards a key part of the proposed legislation.

The Bottom Line

The Federal Government has taken another major step toward introducing state policing in Nigeria by launching a structured roadmap for the National Policing Bill.

With President Tinubu expected to receive the draft bill in early September and Nigerians now invited to contribute to the process, the proposal could become one of the most significant security reforms in the country's recent history.