Another major step towards the creation of state police was taken yesterday as moves to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system gathered momentum.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has submitted the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills, to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legislative review and validation.
The submission marks the completion of the drafting phase of the committee’s mandate to develop the legal framework for a dual policing system that will accommodate both federal and state police services.
30 Bills Sent to Justice Ministry
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a statement yesterday, said the 30 draft bills were submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Monday.
He said the submission was in line with the Working Group’s work plan and represents a critical stage in the Administration’s efforts to establish the constitutional and legislative foundation for the proposed policing reforms.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Ministry of Justice will subject the bills to legislative drafting review to ensure compliance with established legislative standards and conventions, as well as compatibility with existing laws.
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“The Ministry’s review will ensure that the bills conform to legislative drafting standards and conventions, and that they do not conflict with existing laws,” he said.
Validation By October 30
The Ministry of Justice is expected to complete the review and return the validated draft bills to the Working Group on or before Friday, October 30, 2026.
“The Working Group will then give the validated bills final consideration before presenting them to Mr President, thereby concluding its mandate,” the statement explained.
The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to establish the constitutional and legislative framework for a dual policing structure, comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Service.
Gbajabiamila reaffirmed the Working Group’s commitment to a rigorous and transparent process that will deliver a comprehensive proposal for consideration by the President and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly.
Link to Constitution Amendment
He noted that work on the National Policing Bill is proceeding alongside the ongoing consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 by State Houses of Assembly, which must be completed before the bill is transmitted to the National Assembly.
The reform is a key part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to strengthen the country’s security architecture amid growing concerns over insecurity and the limitations of the current centralised policing system.
