ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has announced a seven-week nationwide consultation process, inviting citizens, civil society organizations, professional bodies, security experts, and other stakeholders to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to develop a new legal framework for policing in the country.
The consultation is aimed at gathering public input on the proposed National Policing Bill, which seeks to establish the legal and operational foundation for state policing in Nigeria. The Working Group said the process is designed to ensure that a broad range of perspectives is considered before the legislation is finalized.
According to the announcement, individuals and organizations are encouraged to contribute recommendations on issues relating to policing, public safety, accountability, governance, and the structure of law enforcement. The consultation period will run for seven weeks, after which submissions will be reviewed and incorporated into the drafting process where appropriate.
The proposed legislation represents one of the most significant policing reforms under consideration in Nigeria. If enacted, it would provide the framework for the creation and operation of state police forces, a move that has been the subject of national debate for several years.
Supporters of state policing argue that decentralized law enforcement would improve the ability of security agencies to respond to local crime and security challenges by placing policing closer to the communities they serve. They contend that state-based forces would possess greater local knowledge and be better positioned to address region-specific threats.
Others, however, have raised concerns about the proposal, including questions surrounding funding, oversight, operational coordination, and safeguards to ensure police agencies remain professional, accountable, and free from political interference.
The Presidential Working Group said the consultation process is intended to promote transparency and encourage meaningful public participation as Nigeria considers reforms that could reshape the country’s policing system. The feedback received during the consultation will help inform the final provisions of the National Policing Bill before it advances through the legislative process.