President Bola Tinubu has approved that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, will stay in office until 2027.
This decision clarified his original appointment terms, which stated a four-year tenure.
There had been reports suggesting an extension of Egbetokun’s tenure, but a senior police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, clarified that it was not an extension. “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 said.
In July, the National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill, allowing the IGP to serve for the full term stated in their appointment letter. President Tinubu had sent the Bill to the House of Representatives and the Senate to amend the IGP’s tenure. Both chambers passed the Bill quickly in separate sessions.
Egbetokun was appointed as the IGP in June 2023 for a four-year term, alongside four new service chiefs. According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, would have been required to retire in September 2024 when he turns 60. However, with the clarification, he will continue in his role until 2027, completing his full four-year appointment.
Egbetokun has been in office for one year and three months, with two years and nine months remaining.
The issue of IGP tenure is not new. Egbetokun’s predecessor, Usman Baba, also faced similar confusion about his term.
Baba turned 60 in March 2023 and reached 35 years of service but continued in office until Tinubu appointed Egbetokun three months later.
