The proposed National Policing Bill 2026, which seeks to establish a dual policing structure comprising federal and state police services, has reached the legislative drafting review stage, following the completion of its initial preparation by a presidential working group.
The draft bill, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills, has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice for validation, paving the way for the proposed restructuring of Nigeria’s policing architecture to be presented to President Bola Tinubu.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this in a statement, saying the submission was made to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on October 19, in accordance with the group’s work plan.
Gbajabiamila said the ministry would review the proposed legislation to ensure compliance with legislative drafting standards and conventions, as well as consistency with existing laws.
The ministry is expected to return the validated bills to the working group by October 30, after which the group will undertake a final review before submitting them to the President.
The proposed National Policing Bill seeks to provide the constitutional and legislative framework for a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, a major proposed change to Nigeria’s existing policing structure.
The working group said its process remained focused on producing a comprehensive legislative proposal for the President’s consideration and possible transmission to the National Assembly.
However, the proposed policing reform is proceeding alongside the ongoing consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by state Houses of Assembly.
The constitutional amendment process must be completed before the bill can be transmitted to the National Assembly, the statement added.
