President Bola Tinubu has officially confirmed that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun will remain in office until 2027. Contrary to recent reports suggesting an extension of his tenure, a senior police source clarified that this decision is a confirmation of the original terms of Egbetokun’s four-year appointment, as outlined in his letter of appointment.
“The tenure of the IGP was not extended but rather a clarification on his letter of appointment that stipulated four years in office,” the source stated.
Egbetokun was appointed as IGP in June 2023, alongside four new service chiefs, with his appointment slated for a four-year term. This recent confirmation aligns with the provisions of the Police Act Amendment Bill, passed by the National Assembly in July. The Bill, which President Tinubu forwarded to both the House of Representatives and the Senate, sought to ensure that an appointed IGP could serve the full term specified in their appointment letter, irrespective of the mandatory retirement age.
The Bill was swiftly passed by lawmakers in both chambers, reinforcing the provision that an IGP’s tenure should align with the appointment terms rather than be curtailed by retirement age restrictions. This means Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, and is expected to reach the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024, will nonetheless complete his full term, remaining in office until 2027.
This move addresses the ongoing debate about the tenure of IGPs, which has been a point of contention in recent years. Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, faced a similar situation. Baba reached the retirement age of 60 in March 2023 and had completed the mandatory 35 years of service, yet he continued in office until President Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as his successor three months later.
Egbetokun has now been in office for one year and three months, with two years and nine months remaining of his four-year appointment. This confirmation from President Tinubu provides clarity and stability for the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, ensuring continuity in the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order across the country.
