The Presidential Working Group responsible for drafting Nigeria’s National Policing Bill has announced that the Executive Bill package will be submitted to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to establish a legal framework for state policing.
The announcement was made on Monday following the group’s inaugural meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
It will be recalled that President Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Working Group in July 2026 to develop the legal and institutional framework required for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the committee remains committed to delivering a comprehensive and well-considered legislative package within the approved timeline.
According to him, the draft Executive Bill will first be presented to President Tinubu for consideration before it is released for nationwide consultation.
Gbajabiamila explained that Nigerians will have the opportunity to examine the proposed legislation and make contributions through memoranda, position papers, and practical recommendations.
He noted that the public consultation process is designed to allow stakeholders to review the draft bill’s key provisions, including safeguards, funding mechanisms, operational structure, and transition plans for the proposed state police system.
“The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026,” he said.
He added that the Executive Bill package is scheduled to be submitted to the President on September 3, 2026. If approved, a nationwide consultation on the completed draft will follow before the final version and accompanying documents are revised and transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
Gbajabiamila stressed that although the timeline is ambitious, the committee is committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent process rather than rushing the legislation.
The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to play a significant role in Nigeria’s ongoing security reforms by providing the legal foundation for the establishment and operation of state police across the federation.
