State Police Proposal Advances as Gbajabiamila Submits 30 Bills for Legal Review

The proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria has reached another stage, with the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill submitting the draft National Policing Bill, 2026, and 29 related amendment bills to the Federal Ministry of Justice for review.

The bills were submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on October 19 for legislative drafting review and validation, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Presidential Working Group.

The Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the review would ensure that the proposed legislation meets established drafting standards and does not conflict with existing laws.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Justice had until October 30, 2026, to return the validated bills to the working group for final consideration.

Following the review, the group will present the bills to President Tinubu, bringing its assignment to a close.

The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to provide the constitutional and legislative framework for a dual policing system comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

The proposal is expected to provide the legal foundation for the operation of the two levels of police services, subject to the completion of the necessary constitutional and legislative processes.

Gbajabiamila said the working group remained committed to a transparent and rigorous process to produce a comprehensive proposal for the President’s consideration and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly.

He added that work on the policing legislation was continuing alongside deliberations by state Houses of Assembly on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.

The constitutional amendment process must be completed before the bill can be transmitted to the National Assembly, the statement said.

The submission of the 30 draft bills marks the completion of the working group’s drafting stage, with legal validation and further consideration by the President remaining key steps before the proposed legislation proceeds to the National Assembly.