Egbetokun, has resigned from office following mounting public pressure and a decisive intervention by President Bola Tinubu, Governance Today Nigeria has confirmed.
Presidency sources disclosed that Mr Egbetokun was asked to step down during a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. Though no official statement had been released at press time, top sources within both the Presidency and Police Headquarters confirmed that arrangements are underway for a formal handover.
He is expected to be replaced by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, a senior officer widely regarded within the force as experienced and operationally grounded.
Background and Controversy
Mr Egbetokun was appointed as Nigeria’s 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, with his appointment later confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.
At the time of his appointment, he was 58 and was due for statutory retirement on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, the National Assembly amended the Police Act in 2024, allowing a sitting IGP to complete a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or years in service.
That amendment enabled Mr Egbetokun to remain in office beyond his retirement age, effectively extending his tenure to October 31, 2027. The Presidency had repeatedly defended his continued stay in office as lawful under the amended Act, despite widespread public criticism.
He turned 61 and marked 35 years in service in March 2025.
Public Pressure and Growing Discontent
In recent months, criticism intensified from civil society groups, opposition voices, and political activists who questioned both the legality and propriety of the tenure extension.
Among vocal critics were activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore and other reform advocates who argued that the extension undermined institutional integrity and succession norms within the Nigeria Police Force.
Observers say the sustained public pressure, combined with broader concerns about security management and institutional credibility, may have contributed to the President’s decision.
Transition Underway
Sources indicate that preparations are ongoing for a smooth transition, with Mr Disu expected to formally assume leadership pending official confirmation.
If confirmed, the change marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s security leadership landscape and may signal a recalibration of federal policing strategy ahead of critical national political milestones.
An official statement from the Presidency is expected in the coming hours, GTN watching.
