Tinubu Decorates Olatunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police
Tinubu Charges Acting IGP Disu to Strengthen Public Confidence and Security
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally decorated Olatunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police at a ceremony held on 25 February 2026 at the State House in Abuja, ushering in new leadership at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) amid ongoing national security challenges.
The appointment follows the resignation of the immediate past Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun, who stepped down citing family considerations. Under current provisions of the amended Police Act, Disu who was nearing mandatory retirement is eligible to serve a full four-year tenure as IGP, potentially extending his leadership until 2030 upon confirmation.
Ceremony Marks Leadership Transition
The decoration ceremony, attended by senior government and security officials including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, formally commissioned Disu into his new role. President Tinubu personally pinned the new rank on Disu’s uniform during the event.
Disu’s elevation to Acting IGP occurred just 48 days before his scheduled retirement, highlighting a strategic leadership transition within the nation’s police hierarchy.
Mandate and Expectations
At the ceremony, President Tinubu tasked Disu with confronting major security concerns including banditry, terrorism and other criminal threats, underscoring the urgency of restoring public confidence in the NPF. The President emphasised the need for professional, fair, and disciplined policing as central to national stability.
“I expect you to strengthen discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and ensure that public safety remains a priority,” President Tinubu was reported saying, urging the new police chief to lead with integrity and effectiveness.
Leadership Profile: Olatunji Disu
Disu, a veteran police officer with over three decades of service, previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos. His career includes leadership roles as Commissioner of Police in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and he has been recognised for operational experience in intelligence and crime investigation.
Known for his tenure leading the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos where he rebranded the unit and raised its profile in anti-crime operations Disu brings operational credibility and experience to the national leadership position.
Institutional and Public Expectations
Disu’s appointment occurs amid heightened public demand for effective policing and security sector reforms. Stakeholders across government and civil society stress that rebuilding trust between the police and communities, improving accountability and embedding modern policing practices remain critical to national stability.
The transition also follows broader structural changes within the police leadership, including possible realignment among senior officers as the force adapts to new command direction.
As Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu inherits a pivotal role in Nigeria’s security architecture at a time of persistent security threats and public scrutiny. President Tinubu’s directive emphasises professionalism, collaboration and public confidence as benchmarks for success. The next phase will require strategic leadership, inter-agency coordination and sustained reform to address complex security dynamics nationwide.
