The Police Service Commission (PSC) has ordered the immediate retirement of police officers who are above 60 years of age or who have served for more than 35 years. This decision was made following the PSC’s first extraordinary meeting.
“The Police Service Commission rose from its first extraordinary Meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior Police Officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” said PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani in a statement on Friday.
The PSC also reversed a 2017 decision that had allowed force entrants to base their seniority on their date of appointment rather than their date of enlistment.
“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 and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age,” the statement explained.
As a result, the PSC’s extraordinary meeting held on Friday, January 31, 2025, approved the retirement of officers who have exceeded either the 35-year service mark or the age of 60.
“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” the statement read.
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Ikechukwu Ani confirmed that this decision has been communicated to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.
This move comes amid ongoing calls for the retirement of IGP Egbetokun, who has faced scrutiny due to an extension of his tenure. Egbetokun was appointed IGP by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, replacing Usman Baba.
In October 2023, the National Police Council confirmed him as the substantive police chief. However, Section 7 of the Police Act 2020 states that an IGP’s term lasts for four years, and Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire last September when he turned 60.
Furthermore, Section 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020 aligns with the civil service rule on retirement, which states: “every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”
In response to this, the National Assembly passed a bill in July 2024 that allowed Egbetokun to remain in office “until the end of the term stipulated in his appointment letter.”
Despite mounting calls for his retirement, the Federal Government supported Egbetokun’s continued tenure, arguing that his stay in office is legally justified.
