Nigeria Moves to Introduce National Policing Bill Allowing State Police Forces

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially initiated a seven-week plan to formulate a National Policing Bill, which will establish the necessary legal and operational framework for the implementation of state police throughout the nation. 

This initiative was announced by the State House on August 3, 2026, and the executive bill seeks to create a dual-policing system that harmonizes local security requirements with stringent federal oversight.

A two-week period has been allocated for citizens, civil society, and stakeholders to present their policy proposals and memoranda.

The draft Executive Bill is set to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The completion of the seven-week work program, which commenced on July 27, will facilitate the bill's transmission to the National Assembly.

The National Policing Bill aims to implement the recently approved Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026. As stated by the Presidential Working Group led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, the framework establishes rigorous guidelines.

States will not be permitted to deploy forces until they demonstrate operational capacity in areas such as recruitment, training, equipment, firearms control, and financial sustainability.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, highlighted that the legislation includes legal safeguards to prevent state police from being misused as instruments of political persecution by governors.

States that are unprepared or lack the financial resources to support their own forces will continue to depend entirely on the Federal Police Service.

The legislation delineates the responsibilities between local forces and federal agencies, ensuring that national security issues, such as terrorism and border control, remain under federal jurisdiction.

  

The high-level drafting committee includes collaborative oversight from the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The Northern Nigeria Governors' Forum, along with traditional rulers from the north, has officially supported the establishment of state police to address localized terrorism and banditry. They have called on the National Assembly to expedite the necessary constitutional amendments and have committed to providing financial resources for regional security.

Additionally, governors from the South and various socio-political organizations are in strong favor of decentralization. Furthermore, certain leaders from the southern and middle-belt regions assert that state governors should possess complete authority to appoint and dismiss state police commissioners, thereby embodying the principles of true federalism.