Tinubu to review state police bill on September 3

President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the Executive National Policing Bill for review on September 3, as the Presidency begins the final phase of work on legislation aimed at establishing a framework for state policing in Nigeria.

The Presidency also announced the launch of a public information portal where Nigerians can submit memoranda and position papers to help shape the bill before it is transmitted to the National Assembly.

Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that the Presidential Working Group has adopted a seven-week work plan running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. He said: “The resulting Executive Bill package is scheduled for presentation to the President on the 3rd of September. This is a monumental reform that Nigerians have debated for many years.”

Gbajabiamila clarified that although both chambers of the National Assembly have passed the constitutional amendment on state police, it is not yet operational because it still requires approval from state Houses of Assembly. He said: “Until that process is concluded, there is no operational state police service anywhere in Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police Force remains the constitutionally recognised police institution.”

He stressed that the proposed state policing system would include safeguards to prevent political abuse. He said: “State Police cannot mean 36 state militias. No political officeholder should be able to direct the arrest of an opponent, the suppression of lawful political activity or the selective enforcement of the law.”

The Presidency said the newly launched online portal will allow Nigerians from all walks of life to contribute suggestions and recommendations before the bill is finalized.

Responding to questions about the cost of implementing state police, Gbajabiamila said it was too early to provide estimates. He said: “There is no cost that will be too much to secure lives and property.”