Presidency Moves Policing Bill Feedback Window to August 21

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has postponed the deadline for memoranda and position papers by eight days, from August 13 to 5:00 p.m. West Africa Time on Friday, August 21, 2026. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, who chairs the group, announced the extension on Thursday.

The panel said the extra time is meant to allow legal practitioners, civil society organisations, security professionals, state governments, professional bodies, academics and the wider public to make more thorough contributions. Submissions will be accepted only through the official portal, nationalpolicingbill.com.

The proposed legislation is intended to create the operational, administrative, institutional and funding framework for a policing architecture that can respond to Nigeria's security challenges while protecting accountability, professionalism and citizens' rights. Gbajabiamila listed critical issues the group wants stakeholders to address: sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency coordination, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference.

What the Extended Consultation Says About the Reform Process

Why a short extension matters for credibility

The decision to extend rather than close the window signals that the working group wants a broader, better-documented record before it drafts final language. Policing reforms in Nigeria often stall on questions of who controls the police and how they are funded. Inviting detailed memoranda on those points gives the panel political cover and more technical material for the implementation-ready draft it is expected to hand to the legislature.

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There is no evidence yet that the extension reflects a dispute over the bill's substance, but the timing suggests the original August 13 window drew fewer or less complete submissions than the group wanted. The portal-only requirement also centralises input, making it easier to manage volume and track stakeholders, though it may exclude less digitally connected groups unless complementary outreach is arranged.

For Stakeholders Still Preparing a Memorandum

  • Organisations and individuals still intending to participate should submit memoranda through nationalpolicingbill.com before 5:00 p.m. WAT on Friday, August 21, 2026; late submissions are not mentioned as an option.
  • Comments should address the working group's stated priorities, including funding, command and control, training, jurisdiction, coordination, accountability and political safeguards, to align with what the panel says it needs for the final draft.