President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday formally decorated Tunji Disu with his new rank as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at a brief but significant ceremony held at the State House.
The decoration, which took place at about 4:00 p.m. in the President’s office, followed Disu’s appointment earlier in the day, marking a transition at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force. Senior government officials were in attendance, underscoring the importance of the occasion.
Among those present were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Disu’s appointment comes just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 years. However, recent amendments to the Police Act provide that an Inspector-General of Police may serve a single four-year tenure irrespective of age. By virtue of this provision, Disu could remain in office until 2030, subject to confirmation and the President’s discretion.
During the ceremony, President Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform and used the opportunity to commend the outgoing IGP, Egbetokun, for his service and contributions to national security and police reforms.
The decoration followed closely on the heels of Egbetokun’s resignation, which was submitted to the President less than 24 hours earlier. In his letter, the former police chief cited pressing family matters that require his full and undivided attention, bringing his tenure to an early close.
