Presidency Confirms IGP's Four-Year Tenure, Says Kayode Egbetokun to  Remain in Office Till  2027

By: Olufemi Orunsola

Contrary to many reports circulating in the media circles that the tenure of Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has been extended by 3 years or more, a senior police source, who pleaded anonymity has clarified that the letter issued to the IGP was not an extension of tenure, rather, it is a confirmation that he should complete the four-year tenure as originally stated in his letter of appointment.

According to the source, “The tenure of the IGP was not extended but rather a clarification on his letter of appointment that stipulated four years in office.”

OPEN TELEVISION Naija (OTN) News recalls that in July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.

Subsequently, President Tinubu forwarded the Bill to the House of Representatives and Senate to amend the tenure of the IGP.

The Bill was expeditiously passed by lawmakers in both green and red chambers affirming that the upper and lower chambers passed the bill at separate sittings.

It would also be recalled that President Tinubu had appointed Egbetokun as the IGP in June 2023 for four years alongside four other service chiefs.

OTN News gathered that according to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, is expected to retire in September 2024, when he clocks 60.

At the moment, Egbetokun has only spent a period of one year and three months, with two years and nine months remaining of his four-year appointment.

OTN News further recalls that a similar controversy surrounded tenure extension of Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police played out with the predecessor of the current IGP, Usman Baba, who clocked 60 years old in March 2023 and attained the mandatory 35 years of service but he remained in office till Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as his replacement three months later.