The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have either reached 60 years of age or have served for more than 35 years. This decision was made during the PSC’s first extraordinary meeting, held on Friday, 31st January 2025.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani confirmed the decision in a statement, explaining that the Commission had reversed a 2017 ruling that allowed force entrants to base their service years on their enlistment date rather than their actual date of appointment. The Commission clarified that this prior decision contradicted the principles of public service rules, which stipulate retirement after either 35 years of service or the age of 60.
“After a thorough review, the Commission concluded that the previous decision violated Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii), which mandates retirement upon reaching 35 years in service or 60 years of age,” the statement read.
As a result, the PSC has approved the immediate retirement of all officers who have either served for more than 35 years or are above 60 years old. The decision has been communicated to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.
The timing of the PSC’s decision comes amid ongoing debates about the tenure of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, whose continued stay in office has faced scrutiny. Egbetokun, who was appointed IGP in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, replaced Usman Baba. Despite reaching the age of 60 in September 2024, and being subject to retirement based on Section 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020, he has remained in office following the passage of a National Assembly bill in July 2024. This bill allows him to serve until the end of his appointed term, despite the standard retirement rules.
While some have called for his retirement, the Federal Government has continued to support Egbetokun’s legal right to remain in office, asserting that his stay is lawful under the revised terms of his appointment.
