Tinubu Inaugurates State Police Working Group as Nigeria Moves Toward Decentralised Policing

President tasks panel with drafting implementation bill, says constitutional amendment “does not operationalise” new system

ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, setting in motion the legal framework for Nigeria’s historic transition to state police—a reform long demanded by citizens and regional leaders.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, launched the panel at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the National Assembly’s passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services.

“While the constitutional amendment creates the framework for state police, the National Policing Bill would provide the legal structure for its implementation,” President Tinubu said through his representative. “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 proposed legislation will address minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability mechanisms, human rights safeguards, and fiscal conditions necessary for smooth implementation, the President said.

“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” Tinubu added, explaining the urgency behind the panel’s formation.

Committee to Produce Implementation-Ready Draft

Gbajabiamila will chair the committee, which includes the Attorney-General of the Federation, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the NGF Committee on State Police. A secretariat will provide administrative support.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, speaking on behalf of the NGF, pledged governors’ support for speedy implementation, with all 36 state governors expected to accelerate work on the bill once it reaches their respective Houses of Assembly.

“This bill has answered the cries of Nigerians about cascading policing and removing it from the Exclusive Legislative List,” Abiodun said, describing state police as a response to the long-standing demand for community-based policing.

The governor highlighted the significant security boost the reform would bring, noting that if each state deploys approximately 6,000 personnel, nearly 200,000 officers would complement the existing federal police force.

“This inauguration demonstrates the proactiveness of the Executive in preparing for effective implementation,” Abiodun said.

Legal Experts, Governors Call for Safeguards

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, described the initiative as timely given 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, urging governors to ensure speedy ratification by state assemblies.

NBA President Afam Osigwe reaffirmed the association’s support while emphasising the need for adequate legal safeguards. “Nigeria can hardly be effectively policed by one national police. We fully support the constitutional amendment providing for state police,” Osigwe said.

However, he cautioned: “We must ensure we do not create a monster. The right legal framework must guarantee accountability and prevent oppression.”

Osigwe pledged the NBA’s commitment to supporting the committee in producing legislation that strengthens security while protecting citizens’ rights.

The working group is expected to produce a technically robust draft bill for transmission to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process concludes.

State Attorneys-General from Plateau, Lagos, and Ondo States, along with representatives of the Inspector General, National Security Adviser, and senior government officials attended the inauguration.