President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a Presidential Working Group to drive the implementation of state police across Nigeria. The move marks another major step in the Federal Government’s effort to reform the country’s policing system.
The inauguration took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila represented the President at the event. The committee will prepare the legal framework needed to put the proposed state police system into operation.
Committee to Prepare National Policing Bill
President Tinubu said the recently passed Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill only creates the legal foundation for a dual policing structure. He explained that a separate National Policing Bill will provide the details required to make the system work.
“The Constitution Amendment Bill establishes the framework for dual policing, but it does not operationalise it. That work is left to the National Policing Bill,” the President said.
He explained that the proposed law will define minimum policing standards across the country. It will also set rules for state readiness, accountability, federal-state coordination, human rights protection and funding requirements.
Tinubu said he constituted the committee to ensure the legal framework is ready once the constitutional amendment process ends.
“The Working Group has been constituted to produce a technically robust, implementation-ready draft National Policing Bill for transmission to the National Assembly,” he said.
Tinubu Calls for Early Preparation
The President urged the committee to begin work immediately instead of waiting for the constitutional amendment to become law.
“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he said.
According to Tinubu, early preparation will allow the government to implement the new policing structure without unnecessary delays after the constitutional process is completed.
Gbajabiamila Leads Multi-Agency Committee
Gbajabiamila will chair the Presidential Working Group. The committee brings together senior government officials, legal experts and security stakeholders.
Its members include Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, is also a member. A dedicated secretariat will support the committee throughout its assignment.
Stakeholders Express Support
Speaking during the inauguration, Fagbemi described the initiative as a timely response to Nigeria’s security challenges.
“There is no denying the fact that we are in a critical moment security-wise, and all hands must be on deck,” he said.
He also appealed to governors to support the constitutional amendment. He urged them to work with their respective state Houses of Assembly to secure early ratification.
“I appeal to the governors to do their utmost to ensure the early passage of the constitutional amendment because this is a shared responsibility,” he added.
Governor Abiodun reaffirmed the commitment of state governors to the process. Osigwe also pledged the Nigerian Bar Association’s support for the legal reforms required to establish state police.
Why the Reform Matters
The proposed reform will introduce a dual policing system in Nigeria. Each of the 36 states will have the power to establish its own police service, while the Federal Police Service will continue to handle national security issues such as terrorism, border protection and organised crime.
Supporters believe state police will strengthen community policing and improve security responses. However, some critics have raised concerns about possible political abuse and the need for strong accountability measures.
The constitutional amendment still requires approval from at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before it can become law. Meanwhile, the Presidential Working Group will prepare the National Policing Bill and other legal instruments needed to support the implementation of state police across the country once the amendment takes effect.
