Presidency Sets Deadline For Public Submissions On Proposed State Police Bill

The Presidency has announced that public submissions on the proposed National Policing Bill will close at 5 p.m. today, Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Nigerians have been urged to submit their views on the proposed establishment of state police.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known on Wednesday.

—Purpose Of The Consultation—

Gbajabiamila said the consultation is aimed at incorporating Nigerians’ experiences and professional expertise into the proposed legislation.

Key areas of focus include safeguards against political interference, mechanisms for investigating serious police misconduct, and protocols for intelligence-sharing between federal and state police services.

He stressed that the public consultation will not replace the National Assembly’s constitutional role.

“Lawmakers will retain the authority to scrutinise, amend, reject or pass the Bill when it is formally transmitted,” he said.

–‘Safeguards Against Abuse—

Gbajabiamila acknowledged widespread concerns that state police could be abused by governors against political opponents, protesters, journalists, minority groups and other citizens.

According to him, while state police could bring policing closer to communities and improve responses to local security threats, its proximity to state governments makes strong safeguards essential.

“The law must protect citizens regardless of who holds office. It must protect opposition parties, peaceful protesters, journalists and minority communities,” he said.

He added that the proposed system must ensure officers are properly recruited, vetted, trained, equipped and supervised. Citizens must also have access to credible complaint and oversight mechanisms.

Gbajabiamila noted that officers familiar with local languages, geography and crime patterns would be better positioned to gather intelligence and respond quickly to security challenges.

–‘Constitutional Hurdle Remains—

On the legal framework, Gbajabiamila said Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution currently recognizes only the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s police service. This means a constitutional amendment is required before state police can be established.

He said both chambers of the National Assembly have already approved proposed constitutional amendments providing for a Federal Police Service and State Police Services. However, the process is not yet complete.

The amendment must still be transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly, where it requires approval from at least 24 states before it proceeds to the President for assent.

“State police will remain a proposal until the constitutional amendment process is completed,” Gbajabiamila stressed.

–‘What The National Policing Bill Will Cover—

Gbajabiamila disclosed that the Presidential Working Group is developing the National Policing Bill alongside the constitutional amendment.

He said the Bill will set national standards for recruitment, vetting, training, remuneration, pensions, equipment and professional conduct.

It will also provide rules on the use of force, complaints, discipline, independent oversight, intelligence-sharing and cooperation between federal and state police services.

He clarified that even if the constitutional amendment and the National Policing Bill become law, state police would not be automatically established in all states. Individual states would still have to make the decision to set up their own services within the new legal framework.

The deadline for public submissions is 5 p.m. today.