FG Initiates National Policing Bill for State Police

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the development of a National Policing Bill aimed at establishing a legal and operational framework for state police. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, announced this during a press briefing in Abuja.

He outlined a seven-week, milestone-driven program to produce the comprehensive bill that will facilitate the transition to a dual federal and state policing system. Gbajabiamila noted that while the National Assembly has made progress on constitutional amendments to establish state police, no operational state police service exists in Nigeria at this time.

He emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains the only constitutionally recognized policing institution until the constitutional process is finalized. The Senate approved the constitutional proposal on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives passed the Executive State Police Bill on July 23, 2026.

However, the amendments will only take effect after approval from state Houses of Assembly and the enactment of implementing legislation.