National Policing Bill: Presidential panel extends deadline for submissions to August 21

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation to August 21, 2026.

The extension gives stakeholders until 5 p.m. West Africa Time to submit their contributions through the official National Policing Bill portal.

The Working Group, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the extension was intended to give stakeholders more time to prepare detailed and well-considered submissions.

“The extension is intended to provide stakeholders with additional time for thorough preparation and ensure that interested individuals, institutions and organisations have adequate opportunity to make well-considered contributions to the proposed legislation,” the statement said.

The group encouraged legal practitioners, civil society organisations, security sector professionals, state governments, professional bodies, academics, experts and interested members of the public to take advantage of the extended period.

It said the proposed legislation would establish the operational, administrative, institutional and funding framework needed for an effective policing architecture capable of responding to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The Working Group added that the bill would also provide safeguards for accountability, professionalism and the protection of citizens’ rights.

“The Working Group recognises that developing an effective policing framework requires careful consideration of critical issues, including sustainable funding, command and control structures, recruitment and training standards, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency coordination, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against political interference or abuse,” it said.