By Ikechukwu Samuel
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill announced on Monday that the Executive Bill package will be presented to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026.
In July, President Tinubu inaugurated the committee to prepare the legal framework for implementing state police across Nigeria.
Chairman of the Working Group and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after the group’s inaugural meeting.
He explained that before the Executive Bill is submitted to the President, there will be a national consultation on the completed draft to ensure inclusivity and transparency.
The group also invited the public to submit memoranda, position papers, and practical proposals from stakeholders to enrich the draft.
Gbajabiamila said the consultation will allow Nigerians to engage with the actual clauses, safeguards, funding proposals, and transition arrangements.
“The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on September 3. Subject to his approval, a national consultation on the completed draft will follow, after which the text and supporting materials will be revised and prepared for formal transmission to the National Assembly. The timetable is demanding, but it is not a shortcut,” he said.
Analysts believe the introduction of the National Policing Bill could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s security architecture, as calls for decentralised policing have intensified amid rising insecurity.
Observers also note that the consultation process will be crucial in determining public acceptance of state police, with civil society groups expected to play a significant role in shaping the final draft.
