Retirement Age: IGP Egbetokun’s Fate Hangs In The Balance

By Akinwale Kasali

In the next 16 days, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, IGP, will attain the compulsory retirement Age of 60 Years. He is expected to bow out of service at 60.

Egbetokun was appointed Acting IGP on June 19, 2023. The Police Council confirmed him on October 31, 2023 as the substantive IGP.

He could, however, remain in the saddle as the Police Boss if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his tenure, courtesy of the New Police Act.

The Executive Bill passed by the National Assembly in July 2024 allows the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond 35 years of service or 60 years of age. That would enable the IGP to complete a four-year term in office.

Since the President has yet to sign the bill into law, tension is mounting within the Police High Command.

But the possibility of his tenure being extended looks decisive, following the recent trip of President Tinubu to France on a brief work stay, with uncertainty surrounding when he would return to the country.

Investigation has revealed that some officers are concerned and praying that President Tinubu does notbextend Egbetokun’s tenure, as this will impede their career progression.

At the moment, there are eight Deputy Inspector General, DIGs, 46 Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIGs, and 125 Commissioner of Police, CPs. Four DIGs are set to retire between September 2024 and December 2025.

Egbetokun’s future however hinges on the President’s decision regarding the amendment.

It would be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Usman Baba as IGP, despite the fact that his retirement date preceded his tenure in office.

This was contrary to the Police Act, 2020, which stipulates a four-year tenure for an IGP. Buhari appointed Usman Baba, on April 6, 2021, while he (Baba) was expected to retire from the police on March 1, 2023, when he clocked 60 years of age.

Baba took over from Mohammed Adamu, whose tenure Buhari extended for three months on February 4 2021.

During Baba’s tenure, the FG, through the then Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, in January 2023, said Baba would not be retiring when he turns 60 on March 1, 2023.

Dingyadi’s comments followed concerns about the IGP’s possible retirement amidst the 2023 elections.

Baba turned 60 on March 1, 2023.