A brewing power struggle has emerged within Nigeria’s police hierarchy as the Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of senior officers above 60 years of age or those who have served for more than 35 years.
The move could have direct implications for Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure has been a subject of intense debate.
The PSC’s directive, issued after an extraordinary meeting on Friday, signals a decisive enforcement of Public Service Rule No 020908, which mandates retirement once an officer reaches either 35 years of service or the age of 60, whichever comes first.
However, this decision starkly contrasts with the Federal Government’s recent defense of Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, setting the stage for a potential institutional clash.
For years, there has been ambiguity and controversy over police retirement policies. In 2017, the PSC had approved a system where an officer’s date of appointment in the police force took precedence over their enlistment date—a move that, in some cases, allowed officers to serve beyond the standard retirement limits.
But the commission has now reversed that decision, arguing that it contradicts the broader principles of the public service.
“The Commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the Public Service,” PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani said in a statement.
Following this, the commission ordered the immediate retirement of all affected officers and communicated the directive to the IGP for implementation.
This mass retirement order comes amid mounting pressure on IGP Egbetokun to step down, as he turned 60 in September 2024—technically reaching the mandatory retirement age. Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, an officer is expected to retire after 35 years in service or at 60 years of age, whichever comes first.
Yet, in July 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill extending Egbetokun’s tenure, citing Section 7 of the Police Act 2020, which grants a sitting IGP a fixed four-year term. The Federal Government reinforced this stance on Thursday, stating that Egbetokun’s extended stay is legal and in line with his appointment letter.
Critics, however, argue that this selective application of the law raises serious concerns about institutional fairness.
With the PSC insisting on enforcing retirement rules for all officers, the question now is whether the directive applies to the IGP as well, and if it does, will it be endorced.
Some stakeholders within the police force believe that Egbetokun’s continued stay weakens the legitimacy of the PSC’s decision, as it could be seen as a case of double standards. Others argue that the National Assembly’s intervention in extending his tenure supersedes the PSC’s mandate.
For now, the situation remains tense. Will the IGP implement the mass retirements, knowing that the same rule technically applies to him? Or will the Federal Government step in to prevent a full-blown institutional crisis?
As Nigeria’s policing system faces one of its biggest internal tests, all eyes are on the next move from both the PSC and the presidency.