The presidency has unveiled a seven-week schedule for preparing the proposed State Police Bill, with the executive draft expected to be submitted to President Bola Tinubu for consideration by September 3, 2026.
The timeline was disclosed on Monday by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, following the inaugural meeting of the committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Gbajabiamila, the drafting process forms part of a structured work programme approved by the committee, running from July 27 to September 14, 2026, to establish the legal framework for the implementation of state policing across Nigeria.
President Tinubu had inaugurated the presidential committee in July, tasking it with developing the legislative and institutional framework required to operationalise state police as part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security.
Gbajabiamila said administrative and technical work on the proposed legislation had already commenced, with the executive bill expected to be ready for the president’s review by September 3.
He explained that once the president approves the draft, it will undergo nationwide consultations with key stakeholders before being revised and formally transmitted to the National Assembly for legislative consideration.
“The approved work programme is a seven-week, milestone-driven exercise running from July 27 to September 14, 2026,” Gbajabiamila said.
“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.”
He stressed that although the schedule is ambitious, it is designed to ensure thorough legislative preparation rather than rushing the process.
“The timetable is demanding, but it is not a shortcut,” he added.
The proposed state police initiative has remained a major national issue, with advocates arguing that decentralising policing would improve security and enable quicker responses to local threats, while opponents have expressed concerns about potential abuse by state governments.
The planned consultations are expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the final draft before it is presented to lawmakers.
