The federal government has commenced work on what it described as the legal and operational foundation for Nigeria’s proposed dual policing system, with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, declaring that the country will not rush into the establishment of State Police without comprehensive safeguards, national standards and a robust legal framework.

Addressing State House correspondents Monday in Abuja after chairing the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Gbajabiamila said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the group to produce an implementation-ready National Policing Bill capable of guiding the transition from Nigeria’s existing centralised policing structure to a federal and state policing architecture.

He explained that while the National Assembly had made significant progress on the constitutional amendment establishing State Police, the amendment alone would not create operational police services in the states until all constitutional procedures were completed and implementing legislation enacted.

He said the Senate approved the constitutional proposal for State Police on June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives passed the Executive State Police Bill on July 23, 2026.

According to him, the amendment must still secure the constitutionally required approval of the State Houses of Assembly before it can take effect.

He cautioned against the impression that State Police had already come into existence, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force remains the country’s only constitutionally recognised police institution until the constitutional amendment process is completed and the necessary implementing laws are passed.

Gbajabiamila pointed out that  the constitutional amendment merely establishes the authority for a dual policing system but does not resolve critical operational issues relating to recruitment, command structures, jurisdiction, training standards, funding arrangements, firearms regulation, pensions, data management, disciplinary systems, complaints mechanisms and inter-agency cooperation.

The CoS further said President Tinubu established the Presidential Working Group to ensure that Nigeria is fully prepared to implement the new policing structure immediately after the constitutional process is concluded.

He said the assignment extends beyond drafting legislation to developing an entire implementation framework that would support a smooth transition.

The Working Group, he explained, is conducting a comprehensive audit of the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and all existing laws that may require amendment under the proposed policing arrangement.

He said the exercise will also cover national policing standards, state certification requirements, federal-state cooperation, jurisdictional boundaries, human rights protections, independent complaints institutions, personnel management, rank harmonisation, pension portability, forensic systems, criminal databases, firearms regulation, funding arrangements, federal intervention mechanisms and the treatment of existing security outfits and police assets during the transition.

…Advisory committee

The Chief of Staff also announced that President Tinubu had approved a multidisciplinary Policy Advisory Committee chaired by Hon. Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.

He said the committee comprises representatives of the judiciary, academia, the Nigeria Police Force, security agencies, the National Assembly, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, State Attorneys-General, public policy specialists, technology experts and justice-sector reform advocates.

According to him, the committee will provide independent policy oversight by reviewing successive drafts of the legislation, identifying gaps, validating implementation proposals and ensuring that fiscal, legal and operational considerations receive adequate attention before the bill is transmitted for executive approval.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the reform programme is structured as a seven-week milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026.

He said administrative and technical preparations had already commenced, while Monday’s meeting formally launched the implementation phase.

The completed Executive Bill package, he said, is scheduled for presentation to President Tinubu on September 3.

…Nationwide consultations

He said that following presidential approval, the government will conduct nationwide consultations before revising the draft and forwarding it to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.

According to him, the final package would contain not only the proposed legislation but also an explanatory memorandum, legal audit, clause-by-clause analysis, implementation framework, fiscal assessment, validation report, consequential amendments matrix, state readiness framework, risk register and a comprehensive digital archive.

Gbajabiamila emphasised that the federal government was determined to ensure that State Police does not become an instrument of political persecution.

He said while states must have greater responsibility for policing local communities, governors and other political office holders would not be permitted to direct arrests, suppress lawful political activities or manipulate law enforcement for partisan purposes.

He maintained that police officers at federal and state levels must remain accountable to the Constitution and the rule of law rather than to individual political interests.

The Chief of Staff also stated that any federal intervention in state policing should remain exceptional, evidence-based, proportionate, time-bound and subject to review.

The Working Group chairman said no state would be allowed to establish an operational police service merely because the constitutional amendment had taken effect.

He explained that each state would first be required to demonstrate adequate capacity in recruitment, personnel vetting, professional training, remuneration, pensions, logistics, detention facilities, disciplinary systems, complaints procedures, firearms management, independent oversight and sustainable financing.

He added that national minimum standards would apply across the federation, adding however that individual states could choose to exceed those benchmarks.

“No Nigerian,” he stressed, “should receive a lower standard of protection because of where they live.”

Gbajabiamila called for memoranda, policy papers and practical proposals from Nigerians within and outside the country, civil society organisations, professional associations, security institutions, academics, state governments, stakeholders and other interested groups.

He said every submission would be categorised, documented and considered during the drafting process.

According to him, when the completed draft becomes available for public consultation, Nigerians will have the opportunity to examine the specific clauses, safeguards, funding arrangements and transition proposals before the legislation proceeds to the National Assembly.

‘Reform won’t solve all security challenges’

While acknowledging public concerns over political interference, uneven state capacity, inadequate funding and possible institutional duplication, Gbajabiamila said those concerns justified the need for a carefully designed implementation framework rather than a hurried transition.

He noted that no legislation alone could resolve Nigeria’s security challenges without effective leadership, professional policing, reliable intelligence, adequate funding and public confidence.

Gbajabiamila said the proposed reforms offer Nigeria an opportunity to establish a policing structure better suited to its size and diversity by combining a strong Federal Police Service responsible for national, inter-state and federal security matters with capable State Police Services focused on local and state responsibilities.

He said President Tinubu remained committed to ensuring that the transition is lawful, inclusive, professionally managed and supported by broad national consensus.

Govs’ forum’s take

Also speaking, the representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described State Police as a landmark reform, describing  the initiative as one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration. 

Responding to concerns about federal overreach, he clarified that there is no federal attempt to control State Police.

He added that the proposed legislation is intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise control.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to guarantee the security of lives and property while ensuring that the establishment of State Police does not become a tool for political persecution.

The Attorney-General added that states not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to benefit from the presence of the Federal Police until they meet the required standards.

Other participants at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, Chairman Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd), Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Head Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.