The Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, said that State Police will commence operations in Nigeria after necessary constitutional amendments are completed.
Gbajabiamila, who is Chief of Staff to the President, explained after a meeting of the working group at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday that every state must meet national standards before establishing its own police service.
He said the Nigeria Police Force will remain the country’s only recognized police organization until the constitutional amendment is passed and the necessary laws are enacted.
“The creation of state police is aimed at improving security across the country, but it must not weaken national unity or allow political leaders to misuse security agencies.
“States would be assessed on their ability to recruit and train officers, provide proper equipment, fund operations, manage pensions, handle public complaints, regulate firearms and maintain independent oversight.
“State police cannot become 36 different militias, no elected official should use a state police service to harass political opponents or interfere with lawful political activities,” he said.
He added that states that are unable to meet the required standards immediately would continue to receive policing services from the Nigeria Police Force until they are fully prepared.
Gbajabiamila, disclosed that the working group plans to submit a draft National Policing Bill and other supporting documents to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, stressing that the proposal will later be sent to the National Assembly after nationwide consultations and the President’s approval.
“The proposed bill will provide the legal and operational framework for a federal and state policing system. It will also address important issues such as funding, command structure, officer welfare, training, human rights protection, complaints procedures and cooperation between federal and state police,” he added.
Gbajabiamila described the reform as one of Nigeria’s most important governance changes, saying it is designed to bring policing closer to communities while maintaining national standards and protecting citizens’ rights.
Gbajabiamila, also announced that Nigerians, civil society organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders are invited to submit suggestions to help shape the proposed legislation.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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