State Police: 13 Assemblies approve bill in race to meet 24-state threshold

The Federal Government has taken another significant step towards establishing state police in Nigeria, with the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submitting the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legislative review and validation.

The development signals the completion of the drafting phase of the Presidential Working Group’s assignment to develop the legal framework for a dual policing system that would accommodate both federal and state police services.

Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, explaining that the 30 draft bills were formally submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Monday, October 19, 2026.

According to him, the submission followed the Working Group’s work plan and marks a critical stage in the administration’s efforts to establish the constitutional and legislative foundation for the proposed policing reforms.

“The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has completed the drafting stage of its assignment and has formally submitted the draft National Policing Bill (2026), together with twenty-nine (29) consequential amendment bills, to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legislative drafting review and validation,” Gbajabiamila stated.

He explained that the Ministry of Justice would subject the bills to legislative drafting review to ensure they comply with established legislative standards and conventions and are compatible with existing laws.

“The Ministry’s review will ensure that the bills conform to legislative drafting standards and conventions, and that they do not conflict with existing laws,” he said.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the Ministry was expected to complete the exercise and return the validated draft bills to the Working Group on or before Friday, October 30, 2026.

He added that upon receipt, the Working Group would undertake a final consideration of the validated documents before formally presenting them to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thereby concluding its mandate.

“The Ministry of Justice is expected to return the validated draft bills to the Working Group on or before Friday, 30th October 2026. The Working Group will then give the validated bills final consideration before presenting them to Mr President, thereby concluding its mandate”, the statement explained.

The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to establish a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, marking a proposed fundamental departure from Nigeria’s existing centralised policing arrangement. 

“The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to establish the constitutional and legislative framework for a dual policing structure, comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services”, Gbajabiamila said.

The initiative is expected to provide the legislative framework for creating and operating state police services alongside the federal policing institution, subject to the necessary constitutional and legislative approvals.

The Chief of Staff reaffirmed the Working Group’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive, legally sound proposal that can provide the foundation for restructuring Nigeria’s policing architecture.

“The Working Group remains committed to a rigorous and transparent process that will deliver a comprehensive legislative proposal for consideration by the President and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly”, he declared.

Gbajabiamila also clarified that the drafting of the National Policing Bill was proceeding alongside the State Houses of Assembly’s consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.

He said state legislatures must complete consideration of the constitutional alteration bill before transmitting it to the National Assembly.

“The work on preparing the National Policing Bill is proceeding alongside the ongoing consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 by the States Houses of Assembly, which must be completed before the Bill is transmitted to the National Assembly”, the statement added.

The proposed reform is part of the Tinubu administration’s efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen the country’s security architecture amid persistent concerns about insecurity and the existing federal policing system’s capacity to respond effectively to local security challenges.

President Tinubu has repeatedly supported establishing state police as part of broader measures to improve internal security and strengthen governments’ capacity to protect lives and property.

The latest development brings the presidential committee closer to concluding its assignment, although the actual establishment of state police will still depend on the successful completion of the required constitutional and legislative processes.