Fresh clarification has emerged regarding the tenure of Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, as a security expert explained that the office is governed by a statutory four-year term rather than the traditional retirement age.
The clarification comes amid growing speculation that the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, would be required to step down in April 2026 after turning 60.
However, according to a security analyst, that interpretation does not fully reflect the provisions of the law guiding the position.
Mr. Busayo Mogaji, Chief Executive Officer of Western Eagle Limited, said the IGP four-year tenure lawclearly defines the duration of the office under the Nigeria Police Act and Regulation 2020.
Therefore, he argued that retirement based solely on age may not automatically apply to the Inspector-General.
Speaking in a statement released on Sunday, Mogaji explained that the reforms in the Police Act were introduced to provide leadership stability within the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the law was intentionally designed to prevent uncertainty around the leadership of the Force.
He said the reforms established a fixed four-year tenure to support continuity and ensure that long-term policing reforms can be implemented effectively.
Moreover, Mogaji emphasised that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force should not be subjected strictly to the traditional retirement rules that apply to other public servants.
He noted that the legal framework governing the office makes the tenure of the Inspector-General distinct from conventional retirement benchmarks.
“Public commentary suggesting that the tenure of the Inspector-General automatically terminates upon attainment of the age of 60 does not fully reflect the clear statutory framework established by the Police Act reforms,” Mogaji stated.
Meanwhile, the clarification has come at a time when discussions about police reforms and institutional stability are gaining attention.
However, Mogaji insisted that the law should be interpreted carefully to avoid misleading conclusions.
“In a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, not speculation, agitation, or social media interpretation, clarity must prevail over noise,” he said.
Furthermore, he stressed that the legal framework guiding the IGP four-year tenure law was approved through legislative processes.
“The law remains clear, the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police is firmly anchored in statute and must be interpreted in accordance with the provisions enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by the President,” he added.
He also urged commentators and stakeholders to rely on verified legal documents when discussing issues concerning the leadership of the police.
A similar situation occurred during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. At the time, discussions emerged about whether the retirement age rule should apply to the office of the IGP.
Consequently, President Bola Tinubu approved an amendment to the Police Act in 2024 to clarify the matter. The amendment allows Inspectors-General of Police to remain in office regardless of reaching the age of 60 or completing 35 years of service.
In addition, they believe it strengthens leadership stability within the Nigeria Police Force.
