Questions as Tinubu Appoints Ex-ADC Disu as IGP, 48 Days to Statutory Retirement

…Choice of 59-year-old AIG Sparks Debate Over Possible Tenure Extension, Succession and Stability

By Yinka Giwa
The appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has triggered questions over the timing and likely duration of his tenure, as the newly named police chief is just 48 days away from attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

The Presidency announced on February 24, 2026, that Tinubu had accepted the resignation of the outgoing Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun, who cited pressing family considerations in his letter.

Disu, born April 13, 1966, will turn 60 in 48 days, the mandatory retirement age in Nigeria’s public service, raising uncertainty about how long he can effectively serve if confirmed as substantive IGP.

In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said the appointment was made in view of prevailing security challenges and in accordance with extant laws. The President expressed confidence in Disu’s operational experience and leadership capacity to steer the Nigeria Police Force during a critical period.

Under the Police Act 2020, the President is expected to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police before forwarding his name to the Senate for confirmation.

Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and trained at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kaduna. He holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Education) from Lagos State University, a Master of Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, and a Master’s degree in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University.

He previously served as Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to Tinubu during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State. Over his career, he has held several key operational roles, including Divisional Police Officer in Ago-Iwoye, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos, Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Department in Rivers State, and Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team in 2021.

He was appointed Commissioner of Police in April 2023, later served as Rivers State Commissioner of Police in November 2023, and was redeployed as Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory on October 7, 2024. On March 25, 2025, he was decorated as Assistant Inspector-General of Police and, on February 6, 2026, was deployed to head the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.

While the Presidency emphasised its commitment to strengthening national security and ensuring professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force, observers note that Disu’s imminent attainment of retirement age raises practical questions about continuity of leadership, possible tenure extensions and the broader succession plan within the Force.

As of press time, there was no official clarification on whether any legal provision would be invoked to extend his service beyond the statutory retirement age, leaving the duration of his leadership an open question.