In an effort to provide Nigerians with ample opportunity for thoughtful contributions, the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has extended the deadline for submitting memoranda and position papers regarding the proposed legislation.
The group announced that the new deadline is set for Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT). This extension aims to allow stakeholders more time for thorough preparation and to ensure that individuals, institutions, and organizations have the chance to contribute effectively.
The Presidential Working Group is dedicated to ensuring that the development of the National Policing Bill benefits from wide consultation and incorporates informed perspectives from Nigerians and relevant stakeholders.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish the operational, administrative, institutional, and funding framework necessary for an effective policing system that addresses Nigeria’s evolving security challenges while ensuring accountability, professionalism, and the protection of citizens’ rights. This was highlighted by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
In a statement he issued on Friday, Gbajabiamila emphasized the significance of the proposed reform for the future of policing and internal security in Nigeria. He noted the necessity of providing stakeholders with sufficient opportunity to make substantive and technically sound contributions to the process.
He urged legal practitioners, civil society organizations, security professionals, state governments, professional bodies, academics, experts, and interested members of the public to seize the extended timeline to submit their memoranda and position papers.
All submissions must be made by 5:00 p.m. WAT on Friday, August 21, 2026, exclusively through the official National Policing Bill portal at nationalpolicingbill.com.
The Working Group acknowledges that developing an effective policing framework requires a careful examination of crucial issues, including sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency coordination, accountability measures, and safeguards against political interference or misuse.
These considerations highlight the importance of comprehensive stakeholder engagement in crafting a framework that is effective, accountable, sustainable, and responsive to the unique security needs of communities across the Federation.
Gbajabiamila expressed appreciation for stakeholders who have already contributed and encouraged others intending to participate in this vital national process to take advantage of the extension. He assured that the Presidential Working Group would present a final draft of the National Policing Bill ready for legislative processing.
