The Police Service Commission (PSC) has mandated the immediate retirement of officers who are either above 60 years of age or have served for more than 35 years. This decision was made during the commission’s first extraordinary meeting.
In a statement released on Friday, PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani announced, “The Police Service Commission concluded its first extraordinary meeting by approving the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have served for over 35 years or are above the age of 60.”
The PSC also reversed a 2016 decision that allowed “Force Entrants” to have their appointment dates considered against their enlistment dates. The commission stated that this earlier decision conflicted with the principles of public service mergers and violated Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii), which stipulates retirement after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age.
“The Commission has carefully reviewed its previous decision and determined that it contradicted the principles of public service mergers and breached the Public Service Rule,” the statement explained. “Therefore, during its first extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday, January 31, 2025, the Commission approved the immediate retirement of officers who meet these criteria.”
Ikechukwu confirmed that the decision has been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.
The decision comes amid growing calls for the retirement of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, due to concerns over the extension of his tenure. President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as IGP in June 2023, replacing Usman Baba. His appointment was later confirmed by the National Police Council in October 2023.
Under Section 7 of the Police Act 2020, an IGP is expected to serve a four-year term. However, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, was due to retire in September 2023 when he turned 60. Additionally, Section 18 (8) of the Police Act 2020 aligns with the civil service rule on retirement, stating that every police officer must retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60, whichever comes first.
Despite these provisions, the National Assembly passed a bill in July 2024 allowing Egbetokun to remain in office “until the end of the term stipulated in his appointment letter.” This move has sparked debate, with many calling for his retirement in line with existing laws.
However, the Federal Government has defended Egbetokun’s continued tenure, stating on Thursday that his stay in office is legal. The government’s stance has further fueled discussions about the adherence to retirement rules and the implications of tenure elongation for public officeholders.
