Presidential committee invites memoranda from stakeholders as seven-week drafting programme progresses.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has announced that the proposed Executive Bill on state policing will be presented to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, as part of efforts to establish the legal and operational framework for state police in Nigeria.

FG Begins Framework For State Police, Targets National Policing Bill

Chairman of the working group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the committee’s inaugural meeting. He said the committee, inaugurated by President Tinubu in July, had adopted a seven-week, milestone-driven work programme to prepare, review and submit the proposed legislation.

According to Gbajabiamila, once the President approves the draft bill, the government will commence a nationwide consultation to allow Nigerians and key stakeholders to examine its provisions, including safeguards, funding arrangements and the transition to a dual federal and state policing system. He added that the working group has invited memoranda, position papers and practical recommendations from individuals, civil society organisations, security experts, state governments and other interested parties.

The Chief of Staff explained that the committee’s work programme runs from July 27 to September 14, 2026, with clearly defined targets at each stage. He stated that feedback received during the national consultation would be incorporated into the draft before the Executive Bill and supporting documents are formally transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.

Gbajabiamila acknowledged that the timetable is ambitious but maintained that the committee would not sacrifice quality for speed. “The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on September 3. Subject to his approval, a national consultation on the completed draft will follow,” he said. He stressed that the process is designed to produce a comprehensive and effective legal framework for the implementation of state policing in Nigeria.