Nigeria State Police Reform Moves Forward as Presidential Panel Submits Draft Bill and 29 Amendments.

Nigeria State Police Reform Moves Forward as Presidential Panel Submits Draft Bill and 29 Amendments.

Nigeria’s proposed state policing system has taken another step towards implementation following the submission of the draft National Policing Bill 2026 and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legal review and validation.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submitted the documents on October 19 to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, marking the completion of the drafting phase of its assignment.

The development, announced by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and chairman of the working group, represents progress in the Federal Government’s efforts to establish a legal framework for a policing structure comprising both federal and state police services.

According to the working group, the Ministry of Justice is expected to complete its review and return the validated draft bills on or before October 30, 2026. The documents will subsequently undergo final consideration by the working group before being presented to President Tinubu for consideration and possible transmission to the National Assembly.

Proposed Legislation Seeks to Establish Dual Policing Structure

The proposed National Policing Bill is designed to provide the legal and operational framework for a dual policing system in which the Federal Police Service operates alongside State Police Services.

Under the proposed arrangement, states would have a legal framework for establishing their own police services, potentially bringing law enforcement closer to local communities and improving responses to security threats.

The proposed reform comes amid persistent security challenges across Nigeria, including kidnapping, banditry, insurgency and communal violence. These threats have intensified calls for a policing structure capable of responding more effectively to the distinct security needs of different regions.

Supporters of state policing argue that locally based police services could improve intelligence gathering, community engagement and emergency response times.

However, the proposed system also raises important questions about operational independence, political interference, funding, recruitment standards and accountability. Establishing state police services would therefore require safeguards to ensure that law enforcement remains professional and respects citizens’ fundamental rights.

Constitutional Amendments Remain Critical to Implementation

The submission of the draft National Policing Bill does not, by itself, establish state police services across Nigeria.

The proposed legislation is proceeding alongside the constitutional amendment process required to provide the necessary legal foundation for a dual policing structure.

According to the Presidential Working Group, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, must complete the relevant state-level legislative process before the National Policing Bill can be transmitted to the National Assembly.

This distinction is significant because the proposed reform requires both constitutional authority and implementing legislation to become operational.

The 29 consequential amendment bills submitted alongside the principal draft are intended to address related legal changes necessary to support the proposed policing framework.

The Ministry of Justice’s review will assess whether the draft legislation complies with established legislative drafting standards and conventions and whether its provisions conflict with existing laws.

Accountability and Funding Will Be Key Challenges

Beyond the legislative process, the success of state policing will depend on how the system is designed, funded and supervised.

One major concern is the possibility of political officeholders using state police services against political opponents, protesters or other perceived critics. Questions have also been raised about whether states with limited financial resources will be able to maintain adequately trained, equipped and professionally managed police services.

A credible framework will need clear rules governing recruitment, training, command structures, jurisdiction, funding, disciplinary procedures and independent oversight.

It will also need effective mechanisms for investigating complaints against officers, preventing human rights abuses and ensuring cooperation between federal and state police authorities.

Without appropriate safeguards, decentralisation could create inconsistencies in policing standards and weaken public confidence. Conversely, a well-regulated system could improve local security responses while preserving national coordination.

For Nigeria, the central challenge will be ensuring that greater state level policing authority strengthens public safety without compromising constitutional rights, professional standards or national cohesion.

Next Steps in Nigeria’s State Police Reform

Following the Ministry of Justice’s review, the Presidential Working Group is expected to give the validated documents final consideration before presenting them to President Tinubu.

Any subsequent transmission to the National Assembly would move the proposal into another stage of the legislative process, where lawmakers would consider the proposed framework in accordance with constitutional and parliamentary procedures.

As the process continues, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the proposed reforms produce a policing system that is more responsive to local security concerns while maintaining accountability and protecting citizens’ rights.

The submission marks progress in the development of the proposed state police framework, but the establishment of operational state police services will depend on the completion of the necessary constitutional and legislative steps.