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Gbajabiamila says National Policing Bill is 90% complete and will be transmitted to the National Assembly within two weeks
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Presidency describes proposed legislation as Tinubu administration’s “most consequential” bill so far
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Slow consideration of State Police constitutional amendment by states raises concern over reform timeline
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Gbajabiamila insists there is national consensus on State Police despite only about six states reportedly approving amendment
October 15, (THEWILL) – The National Policing Bill is 90 percent ready and will be transmitted to the National Assembly within two weeks, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said on Thursday.
Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on policing reform, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after a meeting of the group’s steering committee at the State House, Abuja.
He said only a few outstanding issues remained to be resolved, including observations raised by state governors, before the proposed legislation is forwarded to lawmakers.
“The National Policing Bill is more or less ready for transmission to the National Assembly. We will probably have one more meeting after this to cross the t’s and dot the i’s and make sure every area is covered. So, we are 90% ready. The governors have one or two observations, and we should be ready in about a week or so”, he said.
Gbajabiamila described the proposed legislation as “the most consequential Bill of the administration so far”, saying it had undergone extensive deliberations since the steering committee began work on August 3.
State Police Amendment
Gbajabiamila also addressed concerns over the pace at which states are considering the Sixth Constitution Alteration Bill on State Police.
Asked about the possibility of states delaying the amendment, against reports that only about six of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had so far passed it, the Chief of Staff expressed confidence that the process would ultimately receive the required support.
He said there was a “national consensus” among Nigerians on the need for the proposed changes.
“I see no reason why anyone will want to have a rethink on it”, Gbajabiamila said.
The state police proposal is particularly significant because Nigeria currently operates a centralised police structure, with the Nigeria Police Force established under the Constitution as the principal policing organisation across the federation.
For years, governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers and civil society groups have pushed for decentralised policing, arguing that state-controlled police formations could respond more effectively to local security threats.
Opponents and sceptics have, however, warned about the potential for abuse by governors and other political actors, raising concerns over funding, command structures, recruitment, accountability and the possibility of state police being deployed against political opponents.
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High-Level Meeting
Thursday’s meeting brought together senior federal and state officials involved in the reform process.
Participants included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, represented by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba.
Others included Chairman of the Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd); Head of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat, Professor Olu Ogunsakin; Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Lanre Smart; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research and Secretary of the committee, Nnadubem Moghalu.
Representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Security Adviser were also at the meeting.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
