The Presidency has said Nigerians have until 5pm on Thursday, August 13, 2026, to submit their views on the proposed National Policing Bill, which includes plans for the creation of state police services.
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced the deadline on Wednesday.
The consultation is aimed at gathering ideas and concerns from Nigerians before the proposed legislation is presented to the National Assembly. The government wants public input on how state and federal police services can work together while preventing abuse of power.
Gbajabiamila said the submissions would help address issues such as political interference, police misconduct, supervision, intelligence sharing and the handling of complaints against officers.
He explained that the proposed state police system could bring policing closer to communities and allow officers to respond more quickly to local security problems. However, he said the system must also contain measures to stop state authorities from using police officers against political opponents, protesters, journalists or minority groups.
Under the proposed arrangement, police officers would be expected to operate within the law and respect the Constitution and human rights. There would also be rules covering recruitment, training, equipment, pay, pensions, discipline and the use of force.
The proposed system would also provide ways for members of the public to report misconduct and seek redress when their rights are violated.
Gbajabiamila said the National Assembly still has the final role in deciding the fate of the proposed law. He explained that the Constitution currently recognises the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s main police service, meaning a constitutional amendment is required before states can establish their own police services.
Both chambers of the National Assembly have already approved proposed constitutional changes that would provide for Federal Police and State Police Services. However, the process is not yet complete.
The proposed amendment must still be sent to the state Houses of Assembly, where at least 24 of the 36 states must approve it before it can move to the President for assent.
This means state police have not yet been established and remain subject to the completion of the constitutional process.
The Presidential Working Group is also preparing the National Policing Bill to support the proposed changes. The bill is expected to set national standards that state police services would have to meet before beginning operations.
Gbajabiamila further explained that states would not be forced to establish their own police services. Any state that decides to create one would need to pass its own law, establish the required institutions and provide funding.
States that do not establish their own police service would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force.
The Presidency is therefore encouraging Nigerians to send their views before the Thursday deadline, particularly on how state police can improve local security while protecting citizens from political abuse and misconduct.