President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, a key step towards the implementation of state policing across Nigeria following the passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026 by the National Assembly.
The inauguration, held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was conducted on behalf of the President by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also chairs the newly constituted working group.
According to the Presidency, the committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive legal framework that will operationalise the proposed dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and the 36 State Police Services.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu explained that while the constitutional amendment establishes the legal basis for state police, an implementing law is required before the new policing structure can become operational.
> “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,” the President stated.
He said the proposed legislation would provide detailed provisions on minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, coordination between federal and state police formations, accountability mechanisms, human rights protections and funding arrangements.
According to the President, the Working Group has been mandated to produce a technically sound and implementation-ready draft bill for transmission to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process is concluded.
Tinubu stressed that work on the enabling legislation should begin without delay to ensure seamless implementation once the constitutional requirements are completed.
Membership of the Committee
The committee is chaired by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and includes:
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF)
National Security Adviser
Inspector-General of Police
Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police
A secretariat has also been established to provide administrative support to the committee.
Governors Back State Police
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State pledged the commitment of state governors to ensure speedy ratification of the constitutional amendment by their respective State Houses of Assembly.
He described state policing as a response to Nigerians’ long-standing demand for community-based security architecture.
According to Abiodun, the reform also validates the effectiveness of regional security initiatives such as Amotekun in the South-West.
He noted that if each state recruits approximately 6,000 police personnel, nearly 200,000 additional officers would be deployed nationwide to complement the existing Nigeria Police Force.
The governor commended President Tinubu for commencing implementation planning before the constitutional amendment process is completed, describing the move as proactive governance.
Attorney-General Calls for Swift Ratification
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the initiative as timely, citing Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges.
He urged governors across the federation to facilitate the speedy passage of the constitutional amendment in their various State Houses of Assembly.
“There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” Fagbemi said.
NBA Seeks Strong Legal Safeguards
President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, reaffirmed the association’s support for the establishment of state police but cautioned against potential abuse of the system.
He stressed that while decentralised policing has become necessary, the enabling legislation must contain adequate safeguards to protect citizens’ rights and prevent political misuse.
“We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression,” Osigwe stated.
He pledged the NBA’s full support in assisting the committee to develop legislation that strengthens national security while upholding constitutional rights and the rule of law.
The inauguration was attended by 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 senior government officials.
The National Policing Bill is expected to become the principal legislation governing the implementation, regulation and oversight of state police once the constitutional amendment establishing the new policing framework receives the required approvals.
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