The Nigerian government has officially launched efforts to create the necessary legal and operational structure for state police. Authorities have set a seven-week timeline to finalize a National Policing Bill, which will serve as the roadmap for shifting toward a system featuring both federal and state police entities.
Femi Gbajabiamila, who serves as the President’s Chief of Staff and leads the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, confirmed these details during a media briefing in Abuja on Monday. He clarified that despite legislative headway in amending the constitution, there is currently no active state police service operating in the country.
The Nigeria Police Force remains the sole legitimate policing organization recognized by the constitution. While the Senate endorsed the proposal on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives followed suit on July 23, 2026, the transition requires further steps. Gbajabiamila emphasized that the amendment will only take effect once it receives the mandated support from state Houses of Assembly and the formal enactment of supporting legislation.
