Femi Gbajabiamila announces National Policing Bill nearing completion

The Presidential Working Group on policing reforms announced significant progress on the National Policing Bill, stating it is 90% ready for transmission to the National Assembly. This announcement was made by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, following a steering committee meeting at the State House in Abuja.

Gbajabiamila noted that the bill could be sent to the National Assembly within two weeks, pending the resolution of observations from governors. He described the proposed legislation as “the most consequential Bill of the administration so far,” highlighting that the steering committee has engaged in intensive discussions since August 3.

The renewed push for the bill comes as Nigeria faces various security challenges, including terrorism and banditry, necessitating a policing structure that can respond to local conditions. The history of state police proposals in Nigeria reflects ongoing debates about control, funding, and operational safeguards since the military centralized policing in the 1960s.