The presidential working group on Nigeria's national policing bill has fixed September 3, 2026, as the date to present the executive bill on state police to President Bola Tinubu for review. Femi Gbajabiamila, the group's chairman, announced this after the committee's inaugural meeting at the State House on Monday.
Seven-Week Drafting Timeline Approved
Gbajabiamila confirmed that the approved drafting window runs from July 27, 2026, to September 14, 2026, giving the committee roughly seven weeks to complete the legal framework. The executive bill will be delivered to the president by September 3, ahead of the broader end date.
President Tinubu inaugurated the presidential committee in July with a specific mandate to prepare the groundwork for rolling out state police across Nigeria, a subject that has remained a major policy conversation for years.
Administrative and Technical Work Underway
Gbajabiamila stated that both the administrative and technical aspects of the bill preparation have already begun. He said the committee is working diligently to ensure the draft meets all necessary standards.
Once Tinubu approves the draft, the next step will be a national consultation process, allowing Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to weigh in on the bill's contents. After that, the bill will be transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Addressing Long-Standing Policing Concerns
The committee's work is seen as a key step towards addressing long-standing concerns about the centralized structure of the Nigeria Police Force. Proponents of state police argue that local policing would improve security responses across the country's 36 states.
The development comes amid ongoing debates about police reform in Nigeria, with many stakeholders calling for a decentralized approach to law enforcement. The bill's progress will be closely monitored as it moves through the approval and legislative stages.
