President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the State House, Abuja.
The brief ceremony, held ahead of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, also featured the inauguration of six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission.
The event was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Head of the Civil Service Esther Walson-Jack, ministers and family members of the appointees.
Disu Outlines Reform Agenda
Speaking with State House correspondents after taking the oath of office, Disu identified officers’ welfare, restoration of security nationwide and internal preparations for state police as immediate priorities.
He expressed support for ongoing national conversations around decentralised policing, noting that a committee had been constituted within the Nigeria Police to contribute to the framework for state police implementation.
“State police has come to stay and the police should be able to contribute their own part in making it succeed,” he said, dismissing concerns that the reform could weaken the Force.
According to him, the initiative should be seen as a partnership rather than a threat to existing structures.
Welfare and Motivation at the Forefront
The new IGP acknowledged longstanding welfare concerns within the Force, stressing that improved motivation is critical to operational effectiveness.
He described policing as a high-risk profession, recalling that 140 officers were lost in one year during his previous tenure in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Our jobs are very difficult; men sleep out and a lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families,” he said, adding that improved support systems would enhance morale and performance.
Disu also expressed optimism about receiving executive backing for reforms under the current administration.
FEC Meeting Follows Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony was immediately followed by the Federal Executive Council meeting, where key policy matters were expected to be discussed.
With his formal inauguration as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, Disu assumes leadership of the Nigeria Police Force at a time of ongoing security challenges and institutional reform efforts, including discussions on state policing and broader security sector restructuring.
