State Police Debate Enters Final Public Consultation Stage
The Presidency will today close public consultation on the proposed National Policing Bill, giving Nigerians until 5pm on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to submit their views on the planned introduction of state police.
The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the consultation was created to allow citizens, professionals and other stakeholders contribute ideas that could shape the proposed law.
He said public input would be important in resolving major concerns surrounding the proposed policing structure, including political interference, police misconduct, oversight and intelligence sharing between federal and state police services.
Gbajabiamila stressed that the consultation would not take away the powers of the National Assembly, which would still examine, amend, approve or reject the proposed legislation when it is formally presented.
One of the major concerns raised over state police is the possibility of governors using security agencies against political opponents, journalists, protesters and minority groups. Gbajabiamila said such fears must be addressed through strong legal safeguards.
He explained that the proposed system should bring policing closer to communities while ensuring that officers remain subject to the Constitution, human rights provisions and the rule of law.
The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to establish national standards covering recruitment, training, vetting, salaries, pensions, equipment, discipline, use of force and public complaints, while also setting rules for cooperation between federal and state police services.
Gbajabiamila also noted that state police cannot become operational immediately because the Constitution currently recognises only the Nigeria Police Force. A constitutional amendment must first be completed before state police can legally be created.
The process would require further approval by the National Assembly and the endorsement of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before the proposed constitutional changes can be sent to the President for assent.
Even after the law takes effect, individual states would still need to pass their own enabling laws, establish the necessary institutions and provide funding before setting up police services. States that choose not to establish their own police would continue to be served by the Nigeria Police Force.