Efforts to establish state police are set to reach a critical milestone, with the Federal Government expected to present the executive bill to President Bola Tinubu on September 3 after a final round of public consultations on the draft legislation.
The proposed legislation seeks to create state-controlled police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force as part of broader efforts to strengthen internal security, improve community policing and address the country’s growing security challenges through a decentralised policing system.
Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed the timeline on Monday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the draft bill would first undergo a nationwide consultation to allow Nigerians and key stakeholders to scrutinise its provisions before it is forwarded to President Tinubu.
According to Gbajabiamila, the consultation process will give the public an opportunity to engage with the proposed clauses, safeguards, funding framework and transition arrangements contained in the draft legislation.
He also called on Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to submit memoranda, position papers and practical recommendations to strengthen the proposed law.
Gbajabiamila said the consultation is aimed at ensuring that the final executive bill reflects broad national consensus before it is transmitted to the President.