President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a three-year extension of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure, according to sources at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
This decision will see Egbetokun continue his role until at least 2027.
The extension was formally communicated to IGP Egbetokun by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Monday.
A senior security officer at the SGF’s office confirmed that Egbetokun received the official letter of extension from Akume that morning.
The move comes just a day before Egbetokun’s 60th birthday on September 4, 2024. The extension aligns with recent amendments to the Police Act 2020, which now allows senior police officers to serve longer in their roles.
Previously, the Police Act stipulated that public servants, including police officers, must retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first.
However, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill on July 23, 2024, amending the Police Act.
The new provision under Section 8 states that police officers can now serve for up to 40 years or until the age of 65, whichever is sooner.
This legislative change means that IGP Egbetokun, who was appointed in June 2023, will benefit from the extended service period.
Ibrahim Zikirullahi, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), acknowledged that, under the new Police Act, the extension is legitimate given Egbetokun’s relatively recent appointment.
However, he emphasised that the extension should be accompanied by significant reforms within the police force.
“While the extension of IGP Egbetokun’s tenure is in line with the amended Police Act, it is crucial that he uses this time to address the pressing issues within the force,” Zikirullahi said.
“We expect him to urgently initiate the extensive reforms he promised during his inaugural address last year.”
Zikirullahi pointed out several key areas needing attention, including the welfare and conditions of police officers.
“A police officer who is not well taken care of can become a potential threat to public safety,” he warned.
“The issues of corruption, indiscipline, and lack of professionalism within the force must also be addressed urgently.”
He also highlighted the need for the Nigerian Police Force to embrace modern policing techniques.
“Modern policing relies more on advanced technology and intelligence rather than sheer manpower,” Zikirullahi added. “Adopting these methods could improve efficiency and public confidence in the force.”
