President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, formally decorated Tunji Disu with the insignia of Acting Inspector-General of Police during a ceremony at the State House, Abuja.
The event, held around 4:00 p.m. in the President’s office, was witnessed by key officials including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and the immediate past IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Tinubu personally pinned the new rank on Disu’s uniform and commended Egbetokun for his dedicated service to the nation.
Disu’s appointment follows Egbetokun’s resignation, confirmed by the Presidency on Tuesday after he submitted a letter citing family matters requiring his “undivided attention.”
Multiple Presidency sources, however, revealed that Egbetokun was directed to step down during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening.
Disu, who turns 60 on April 13, 2026, was appointed just 48 days before his scheduled retirement under existing police regulations. However, amendments to the Police Act now allow Inspectors-General to serve a full four-year tenure, regardless of age, unless they resign or are removed.
If confirmed substantively, Disu could remain in office until 2030.
The Presidency, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, stated that President Tinubu will convene the Nigeria Police Council in line with the Police Act 2020 to consider Disu’s substantive appointment, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
Disu’s elevation is expected to trigger retirements among several senior officers, in line with police tradition when a junior colleague assumes the top position. Up to nine Deputy Inspectors-General and potentially 15–20 senior officers could be affected.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University (LASU), a postgraduate diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies, and master’s degrees in Public Administration (Adekunle Ajasin University) and Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology (LASU).
A decorated third-dan black belt judoka, Disu won silver at the 33rd U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022 and multiple medals at national events.
He rose to prominence as Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), rebranding officers as “The Good Guys” and earning the unit the Best Anti-Crime Squad in West Africa award in 2016.
In 2021, he headed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), succeeding suspended officer Abba Kyari. He later served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and most recently as AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
Disu is expected to formally assume office at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, on Wednesday, where a handover ceremony and parade of senior officers are scheduled.
