Federal Government Commences Drafting of Dual Policing Architecture, Sets September Submission Date
Speaking on Channels Television, Nnadubem Moghalu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, outlined the Federal Government's operational roadmap for introducing state police in Nigeria. Moghalu announced that the working group, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Right Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, has set September 3, 2026, as the target date to present a comprehensive executive bill to President Bola Tinubu.
Following the passage of the foundational constitutional amendment by the National Assembly, the executive framework aims to address key operational parameters, including minimum policing standards, cross-jurisdictional powers, funding models, and inter-agency cooperation.
Deep-Dive Analysis
1. Structure and Governance of the Reform Process
Moghalu detailed the administrative framework established by the presidency to translate the constitutional amendment into an operational framework.
Working Group and Advisory Architecture
- The Presidential Working Group: Comprises key security and legal stakeholders, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila (Chairman), the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Security Advisor, the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (Kwara State Governor), the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police (Kogi State Governor), and leadership from the Nigerian Bar Association.
- The Policy Advisory Committee: A 26-member advisory body chaired by retired Court of Appeal Justice Muhammad Abdullahi Liman. This body brings together representatives from academia, legal practice, police administration, and six state Attorneys General to review public submissions and validate draft proposals.
- Drafting and Research Teams: Supported by a dedicated secretariat and a legal drafting team led by the Director of Legal Drafting from the Federal Ministry of Justice to synthesize inputs into the final executive bill.
"The constitutional amendment creates the authority... However, it does not by itself provide the complete operating system. It does not settle the questions on standards, certification, recruitment, training, funding, command, or jurisdiction complaints." — Nnadubem Moghalu
2. Public Consultations and the 17 Thematic Areas
To address public concerns regarding governance standards, operational abuse, and state-level readiness, the committee has initiated a public engagement drive via a dedicated portal (nationalpolicingbill.com).
Core Areas of Focus
- Cross-Border Jurisdiction & Enforcement: Establishing legal protocols for pursuit and enforcement across state lines when suspects move between jurisdictions.
- National Minimum Standards & Certification: Standardizing training, recruitment criteria, and operational equipment to maintain uniform professional standards nationwide.
- Funding & State Readiness: Defining sustainable funding models, revenue-sharing mechanisms, and structural requirements that states must meet before establishing local police forces.
- Regulatory & Oversight Infrastructure: Structuring the state-level counterparts to the Police Service Commission and defining the scope of powers granted to state governors to prevent political misuse.
3. Timeline, Legislative Context, and Public Participation
Moghalu addressed questions regarding the speed of legislative processes and the timeline for public input.
Implementation Schedule and Next Steps
- Submissions Window: Public submissions and memoranda from civil society, state governments, legal bodies, and citizens are currently open via the official online repository.
- Drafting Timeline: The committee and its advisory units will review submissions throughout August, with the final executive draft expected to reach the President by September 3, 2026.
- Legislative Steps: Upon presidential review and approval, the executive bill will be formally transmitted to the National Assembly as the operational blueprint accompanying the ongoing constitutional amendment process across state houses of assembly.
"When we are doing reforms that affect lives as fundamentally as this one does, it is important for that process to be a consultative, engaging process that brings Nigerians together." — Nnadubem Moghalu
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