The Federal Government has begun work on creating the legal and operational framework necessary to introduce state police, signaling a significant transformation in Nigeria’s policing system.
To achieve this, the government has initiated a seven-week program focused on developing a comprehensive National Policing Bill. This bill will lay out the legal foundation for a dual federal and state policing structure.
This progress was announced in Abuja by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill. Gbajabiamila mentioned that while the National Assembly has made strides in amending the constitution to establish state police, such a service does not currently exist.
He highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force is still the only constitutionally recognized policing institution until the completion of the constitutional amendment process. The Senate had approved the constitutional amendment on June 24, 2026, and the House of Representatives passed the Executive State Police Bill on July 23, 2026.
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Despite these advancements, Gbajabiamila noted that the amendment will take effect only after gaining approval from most State Houses of Assembly and enacting the necessary legislation.
He emphasized that no operational state police service currently exists in Nigeria. The constitutional amendment establishes authority and a broad framework for federal and state policing but does not provide a complete operating structure on its own.
The proposed National Policing Bill aims to set up the legal, administrative, and operational guidelines for a smooth transition to a dual policing system. This initiative will address issues such as powers and responsibilities of police services at both federal and state levels, operational coordination, funding, accountability, and oversight arrangements.
These reforms are part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to bolster internal security and enhance policing across Nigeria through constitutional and institutional changes.
