The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill says it remains on schedule to deliver its seven-week workplan, with the first drafting sprint on the proposed legislation now underway.
The development comes as the extended deadline for stakeholders to submit memoranda and position papers approaches, with submissions expected to close at 5:00 p.m. (WAT) on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Since its inauguration, the Working Group has moved from its initial organisational phase into substantive policy and legislative work. The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), chaired by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman, has completed the first stage of its oversight mandate and provided policy direction for the drafting process.
Legal drafters nominated by the Federal Ministry of Justice have subsequently commenced work on the first drafting sprint in accordance with the approved timetable.
Meanwhile, the national consultation process has attracted contributions from government institutions, professional bodies, civil society organisations, security stakeholders, experts and members of the public. The Working Group said the memoranda and position papers received are being systematically reviewed to ensure that relevant recommendations are reflected in the evolving Bill.
The Group reminded stakeholders who have yet to make submissions that the extended consultation window will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Following the closure of the consultation period, the Working Group is expected to intensify the drafting process while maintaining the pace established during the opening weeks of its seven-week assignment.
The proposed National Policing Bill is intended to establish the constitutional and legislative framework for a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, supported by institutional safeguards, accountability mechanisms and appropriate oversight arrangements.
The Working Group said it remains committed to an inclusive, rigorous and time-bound process aimed at producing a comprehensive legislative proposal for consideration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and eventual transmission to the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila said the Working Group was committed to ensuring that the process produces a legislative framework capable of addressing the country’s evolving policing and internal security needs. “We remain committed to a rigorous, inclusive and time-bound process that will produce a comprehensive legislative proposal for consideration by the President and subsequent transmission to the National Assembly,” he said.