President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, tasked with developing the legal framework for the establishment and implementation of state police across Nigeria.
According to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the inauguration ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The President was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who formally launched the committee’s activities.
The inauguration followed the National Assembly’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.
Onanuga said the President noted that while the constitutional amendment establishes the framework for state police, the National Policing Bill will provide the legal structure for its implementation.
“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 explained that the proposed legislation would address key issues necessary for the smooth operationalisation of the state police system.
“The proposed National Policing Bill will include provisions on minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability, human rights safeguards and fiscal conditions.”
Tinubu said the committee had been constituted to ensure that an implementation-ready draft bill is prepared 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.
The President stressed the need to begin work ahead of the completion of the constitutional amendment process.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he said.
The statement noted that Gbajabiamila will serve as chairman of 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. A secretariat will provide administrative support to the committee.
Speaking on behalf of the NGF, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun pledged governors’ support for the speedy implementation of the reform.
He said the plan was for the 36 governors to accelerate work on the bill once it reaches their respective Houses of Assembly and is passed unanimously.
Abiodun described the proposed state police system as a response to Nigerians’ longstanding 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 the initiative validates the success of regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West.
Abiodun added that state police would significantly increase the number of security personnel across the country.
“If each state deploys about 6,000 personnel, we will add nearly 200,000 officers to complement the existing federal police.”
The governor commended President Tinubu for commencing implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process is concluded.
“This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” Abiodun said.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the initiative as timely in view of the country’s security challenges.
“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 also urged governors to ensure the speedy ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective state assemblies.
“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 said.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, reaffirmed the association’s support for the state police initiative.
“Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” he said.
Osigwe, however, stressed the need for adequate 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 reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to working closely with the committee, pledging full support in drafting legislation that not only enhances national security but also safeguards the fundamental rights of citizens. This assurance underscores the association’s role in ensuring that the proposed framework strikes a balance between effective policing and constitutional protections.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a distinguished delegation, including the Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of Plateau, Lagos, and Ondo States, alongside representatives of the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and other senior government officials. Their presence highlighted the broad-based collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement essential to shaping a credible and inclusive policing framework for the country.
