Nigeria Extends Deadline for National Policing Bill Submissions

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill extended the deadline for submitting memoranda and position papers to 5:00 p.m. West Africa Time on Friday, August 21, 2026. Originally scheduled to close on August 13, the eight-day extension provides additional time for legal practitioners, civil society organizations, security professionals, and state governments to provide technically sound contributions.

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Working Group, announced the extension to ensure that interested individuals and institutions have adequate opportunity to make well-considered contributions. The proposed legislation aims to establish a new operational, administrative, and funding framework for Nigeria's policing architecture. This new structure is intended to address evolving security needs while maintaining accountability and protecting citizens' rights.

The Working Group is specifically seeking input on recruitment standards, command and control structures, and safeguards to prevent political interference. Following the conclusion of the consultation process and the review of submissions made via the official portal, the group will present a final, implementation-ready draft of the bill for legislative processing.