The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 268 senior police officers across multiple cadres, marking a significant step toward enhancing professional standards and accountability in the Nigeria Police Force.
The promotion exercise, which included compulsory examinations and interviews, was conducted in line with global best practices.
According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, 12 Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), while 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to full Commissioners of Police. The PSC also approved the promotion of 27 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners of Police.
In addition, 145 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs)—including general duty officers and specialists such as medical doctors, pharmacists, engineers, airwing officers, and chaplains—were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police.
Also promoted were 29 Superintendents (Specialists) to Chief Superintendents, and 38 Deputy Superintendents (Specialists) to the rank of Superintendent of Police.
The promotions were presented by DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), Chairman of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Police Matters, following the conclusion of the assessment processes.
Speaking during the plenary, PSC Commissioner DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd) noted that the era of automatic promotions is over. “Promotion examinations are here to stay. Officers must sit up or be shown the way out,” he said.
He added that a modern police force must be capable of holding its own anywhere in the world and should be driven by merit, integrity, and discipline.
The PSC Chairman congratulated all the successful officers and urged them to rededicate themselves to national service and the protection of lives and property
