The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has extended the deadline for Nigerians and other stakeholders to submit memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation.
The new deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, giving individuals, organisations and institutions additional time to prepare and submit their views on the proposed reforms.
The working group said the extension was intended to encourage wider participation and allow stakeholders to make detailed and well-considered contributions to the development of Nigeria’s future policing framework.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Presidential Working Group and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Government Seeks Wider Consultation
Gbajabiamila said the working group was committed to ensuring that the proposed National Policing Bill benefits from broad consultation and the views of Nigerians.
He explained that the legislation is expected to establish the operational, administrative, institutional and funding framework needed to strengthen policing in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The framework, he added, would also include safeguards aimed at promoting accountability, professionalism and the protection of citizens’ rights.
According to Gbajabiamila, the significance of the proposed reform made it necessary to give stakeholders more time to provide substantive and technically sound recommendations.
Who Can Submit Memoranda?
The working group encouraged a wide range of stakeholders to participate in the process.
Those invited to submit memoranda include:
Legal practitioners
Civil society organisations
Security sector professionals
State governments
Professional bodies
Academics and researchers
Security and governance experts
Interested members of the public
All submissions must be made before the new deadline through the official National Policing Bill portal.
The working group said it would use the contributions received to help shape a final draft of the proposed legislation.
Key Issues Under Consideration
Gbajabiamila said the reform process would examine several critical areas of policing, including sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction and cooperation among security agencies.
Other issues include accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference or abuse.
He stressed that these issues require extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure the resulting framework is effective, accountable, sustainable and responsive to the security needs of communities across Nigeria.
The Presidential Working Group thanked stakeholders who had already submitted their views and urged others who wish to participate to use the extended period.
It said the ultimate goal is to produce a final, implementation-ready National Policing Bill for onward consideration by the legislature.
State Policing Bill: Presidential Panel Extends Deadline for Public Input
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