President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to review the National Policing Bill on September 3, 2026, marking a significant step in the federal government’s initiative to establish state-level police forces. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff, announced that the drafting phase is occurring between July 27 and September 14. Before the proposal reaches the National Assembly, the government has opened a public website, nationalpolicingbill.com, to collect citizen input regarding the reform.
Gbajabiamila emphasized that the objective is to create a professional, sustainable system that enhances local security while safeguarding civil liberties. He warned that state police structures must not be weaponized by governors or politicians to target rivals or suppress lawful dissent. Federal oversight will be reserved for specific, evidence-backed scenarios.
While the National Assembly has passed initial constitutional amendments regarding state police, the legislation requires further support from state houses of assembly to become fully effective. Currently, the Nigeria Police Force remains the sole constitutional authority. Regarding the financial burden of these reforms, Gbajabiamila noted that it is currently premature to provide a budget, but he maintained that the investment is necessary to ensure the protection of citizens and property.
