President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has submitted the draft 2026 National Policing Bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legislative review, paving the way for a proposed federal and state police structure in Nigeria.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has completed the drafting phase of its assignment and submitted the proposed National Policing Bill, 2026, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills, to the Federal Ministry of Justice for legislative drafting review and validation.
The submission was made on Monday, October 19, to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, in line with the working group’s approved work plan.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the working group, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20.
He explained that the ministry’s review would ensure that the proposed legislation complies with established legislative drafting standards and conventions and does not conflict with existing laws.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Ministry of Justice is expected to return the validated draft bills to the working group on or before Friday, October 30, for final consideration.
The group will subsequently present the reviewed bills to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, bringing its assignment to a close.
The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to establish the constitutional and legislative framework for a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.
The proposed arrangement forms part of efforts to restructure Nigeria’s policing system and establish a legal framework for state police operations.
The working group said it remained committed to a rigorous and transparent process that would produce a comprehensive legislative proposal for the President’s consideration and eventual transmission to the National Assembly.
The submission marks a significant step in preparing the legal framework for the proposed policing reforms. However, the draft legislation is still undergoing review and has not yet completed the process required for enactment into law.
The preparation of the National Policing Bill is proceeding alongside the consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the State Houses of Assembly.
Gbajabiamila noted that the constitutional amendment process must be completed before the relevant bill can be transmitted to the National Assembly for the next stage of legislative action.
The constitutional amendment is central to the proposed reform because the National Policing Bill is intended to provide the legislative framework for implementing the dual policing structure.
The two processes are therefore proceeding concurrently, with the constitutional amendment serving as a key requirement for advancing the proposed state police system.
Following the Ministry of Justice’s review, the working group is expected to consider the validated bills before submitting them to President Tinubu.
The President would then consider the proposals and determine their onward transmission to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
The proposed reforms could reshape policing responsibilities between federal and state authorities if the necessary constitutional and legislative requirements are met.
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