By By Elizabeth Ugbo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to prepare the legal framework for implementing state police across Nigeria. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President said the committee would produce an implementation-ready bill that will support the constitutional amendment creating a dual policing system.
Committee to Prepare Legal Framework
The inauguration followed the National Assembly’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026. The amendment proposes a dual policing structure made up of the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
President Tinubu explained that the constitutional amendment only establishes the legal foundation. He said the National Policing Bill would provide the operational framework required to implement state police nationwide.
“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,” he said.
Bill to Address Key Operational Issues
According to the President, the proposed legislation will define the standards and procedures needed for effective policing across the federation.
He said the bill will include provisions on minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal and state coordination, accountability, human rights safeguards and fiscal conditions.
Tinubu added that the working group must complete a technically sound draft immediately after the constitutional amendment process.
“The Working Group has been constituted to produce a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” he said.
He noted that the government decided to begin the drafting process early to prevent delays after the constitutional amendment receives final approval.
Gbajabiamila Heads the Working Group
Femi Gbajabiamila will chair the committee.
Other members include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police.
A secretariat will provide administrative support to the committee.
Governors Back State Police Reform
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged the governors’ support for the initiative.
He said all 36 governors would work with their respective State Houses of Assembly to ensure speedy consideration of the constitutional amendment.
Abiodun described state police as a direct response to Nigerians’ long-standing demand for community-based policing.
“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List,” he said.
He also pointed to the success of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West as evidence that decentralised policing can improve security.
Furthermore, he said state police would significantly increase the country’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 praised President Tinubu for beginning implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process concludes.
Attorney-General Calls for Quick Ratification
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the initiative as timely.
He said Nigeria faces serious security challenges that require collective action.
“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 urged governors to secure early ratification of the constitutional amendment through their State 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 added.
NBA Seeks Strong Legal Safeguards
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, reaffirmed the association’s support for state police.
He argued that Nigeria cannot effectively rely on a single national police force to meet its growing security needs.
“Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said.
However, Osigwe stressed the need for strong legal safeguards to prevent abuse of state police powers.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” he said.
He also pledged the NBA’s support in drafting legislation that will strengthen security while protecting citizens’ rights.
Senior Officials Attend Inauguration
The inauguration attracted several senior government officials. They included 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 top government officials.
