PUBLIC ORDER ACT
Act · Security
An Act requires individuals and groups to obtain permits for public processions and meetings from the police. It targets event organizers to regulate gatherings and maintain public safety.
PUBLIC ORDER ACT
What Is This Policy?
An Act requiring persons or groups wishing to hold public processions or meetings to obtain a permit from the Commissioner of Police — an Act whose constitutional validity has been significantly challenged in the courts.
Who Does It Target?
Organisations and individuals wishing to hold public gatherings The Commissioner of Police as the permit authority Civil society and political organisations Courts adjudicating freedom of assembly matters
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Regulate public gatherings to prevent disorder, allow police to manage security at events, and protect public safety through a permit system.
Key Features
Permit Requirement: Organisers of public processions and meetings must obtain police permits in advance. Police Conditions: Police may impose conditions on permits to protect public order. Permit Refusal: Police may refuse permits where a gathering is likely to cause serious disorder. Offences: Holding an unpermitted gathering is a criminal offence.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Contested — courts have restricted its application; reform bill proposed Coverage: Nationwide pending reform Beneficiaries: Public order management Funding: Federal Government
How to Access
Apply to the Commissioner of Police for public procession permits Comply with conditions imposed by Police on any permit granted Peaceful protests are constitutionally protected — the Act must be read consistently Application method: Apply to the Commissioner of Police in the relevant state.
Important Terms
Courts have ruled the Act must be consistent with constitutional freedom of assembly Several states have been enjoined from blanket-banning protests under this Act A reform bill limiting the Act to the FCT has been proposed
Official Resources
Website: https://www.npf.gov.ng Contact: Nigeria Police Force / Federal Ministry of Interior
Legal Framework
Enacted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside the Nigerian Police Act 2020, the Constitution Section 40 (freedom of assembly), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.