States Not Ready for State Police Will Retain Federal Police, Says FG

States Not Ready for State Police Will Retain Federal Police, Says FG

The Federal Government has said states that are not immediately prepared to establish their own police services will continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they meet the standards required under the proposed State Police framework.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stated this on Monday during a meeting of the Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill at the State House, Abuja.

Fagbemi explained that the proposed legislation is intended to strengthen security across the country while preventing state police from being used as an instrument of political persecution.
He said states seeking to establish their own police services would have to satisfy strict conditions before receiving approval to operate.

Also speaking, the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, said no state would be allowed to commence policing without demonstrating credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, remuneration, pensions, equipment, detention facilities, complaints handling, discipline, data management, firearms control, independent oversight and sustainable funding.

According to him, the proposed National Policing Bill will establish national minimum standards, define state readiness and certification procedures, clarify the responsibilities of federal and state police, and provide a framework for accountability and respect for human rights.

The Working Group also announced a two-week window for Nigerians, professional bodies, civil society organisations, security agencies, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to submit memoranda and policy proposals on the bill.

The committee has adopted a seven-week work plan running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. A draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Tinubu on September 3 before wider national consultations and transmission to the National Assembly.

Representing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described state police as one of the landmark reforms of the Tinubu administration, stressing that the proposed legislation is designed to provide an operational framework rather than place state police under federal control.