President Bola Tinubu on February 24 appointed Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, succeeding Kayode Egbetokun, who resigned on Tuesday.

 

Disu’s appointment comes less than a year after his elevation to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police in March 2025, marking a rapid rise within the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force.

 

Born on April 13, 1966, Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. Under existing police regulations, officers are required to retire upon attaining 60 years of age or completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.

 

Prior to his appointment, Disu was just 48 days away from reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60. He is also due to complete 35 years of service in May 2027. However, his elevation to the office of Inspector-General of Police now places him on track to serve a statutory four-year tenure, unless he resigns or is removed by the President.

 

A similar development occurred during the tenure of his predecessor, Egbetokun. Appointed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, his position was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.

 

Egbetokun, who assumed office at age 58, was initially scheduled to retire on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60. However, following amendments to the Police Act by the National Assembly, Inspectors-General of Police are permitted to complete their full four-year term regardless of age or years of service, unless they resign or are removed by the President.

 

As a result, Egbetokun was expected to remain in office until October 31, 2027, before his resignation on Tuesday.

 

Disu’s appointment signals continuity in leadership at the Nigeria Police Force, while also underscoring the impact of recent legislative changes on tenure security for the nation’s top police officer.