Abuja, 24 February 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and appointed Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Tunji Disu as Acting IGP with immediate effect, citing the need for steady leadership amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. The announcement, made via a statement from the State House, marks a significant shift in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), but it has sparked widespread criticism for allegedly bypassing seniority protocols and favouring ethnic affiliations.
In his official statement, President Tinubu expressed gratitude for Egbetokun’s service, noting his “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and our nation” and his “dedication, professionalism and commitment to strengthening our internal security architecture.” Egbetokun, who hails from Ogun State in the Yoruba-dominated South-West, cited “pressing family considerations” as the reason for his resignation. The president emphasised that the appointment aligns with extant laws and that he will soon convene the Nigeria Police Council to consider Disu’s formal nomination as substantive IGP, followed by Senate confirmation as required by the Police Act 2020.
Disu, a 59-year-old Lagos-born officer with a reputation for operational expertise, has been praised by the administration for his “experience, operational depth and leadership capacity.” He previously served as the head of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Lagos and has held various high-profile roles, including as aide-de-camp to Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor. Disu, also of Yoruba ethnicity from Lagos State, is seen by supporters as a capable choice to address Nigeria’s security woes, including banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes.
However, the appointment has ignited fierce debate over allegations of tribal bias, with critics arguing that Tinubu deliberately bypassed more senior officers, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Frank Mba, to install a fellow Yoruba kinsman. This move is perceived as part of a broader pattern of ethnic favouritism in Tinubu’s administration, exacerbating Nigeria’s deep-seated divisions and undermining merit-based promotions within the NPF.
At the heart of the controversy is the issue of seniority. Under NPF protocols, the IGP role typically goes to the most senior officer upon vacancy, often a DIG. Frank Mba, an Igbo from Enugu State in the South-East, holds the rank of DIG in charge of Training and Development—a position senior to Disu’s AIG status. Mba, who has risen rapidly through the ranks under Tinubu’s presidency—from Commissioner of Police to AIG and then DIG in 2023—is widely regarded as the next in line based on hierarchy and experience. Recent promotions approved by the Police Service Commission in January 2026 further highlight the active seniority structure, with multiple officers elevated to DIG and AIG ranks, yet Disu’s leapfrogging has raised eyebrows.
Social media and public discourse have amplified these concerns, with users labelling the decision as “tribalism” and “nepotism.” One X post stated: “Tinubu’s bypassing of DIG Frank Mba and appointment of his junior officer AIG Tunji Disu as the new IGP screams, TRIBALISM!” Another highlighted historical warnings about Tinubu’s alleged ethnic preferences during his Lagos governorship, suggesting this national-level appointment perpetuates division. Critics argue that overlooking Mba, an Igbo, for Disu reinforces perceptions of Yoruba dominance in key security roles under Tinubu, who himself is Yoruba. Such actions, they claim, erode trust in federal institutions and fuel separatist sentiments among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
Defenders of the appointment, including government spokespersons, maintain that it is based on merit and the urgency of security needs, not ethnicity. They point to Disu’s track record, including his role in high-stakes operations and international affiliations like the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The president reiterated his commitment to a “professional, accountable and fully equipped” NPF, underscoring the administration’s focus on national security.
Yet, the tribal dimension cannot be ignored. Nigeria’s history of ethnic tensions, dating back to the civil war and ongoing separatist agitations, makes such appointments politically charged. By elevating a Yoruba officer over a qualified Igbo DIG, Tinubu risks alienating the South-East, where feelings of marginalisation are already pronounced. Observers warn that this could deepen national fractures at a time when unity is crucial for tackling insecurity.
As the Nigeria Police Council prepares to meet, all eyes will be on whether Disu’s nomination proceeds smoothly or faces pushback in the Senate. For now, the appointment underscores the delicate balance between merit, seniority, and ethnic equity in Nigeria’s governance.
- JUST IN: Boko Haram kills Nigerian Army colonel and 21 soldiers in overnight ambush
- US to impose naval blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports
- At least 200 feared dead in Nigerian military jet strike on village market
- NEC Postpones Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise Until After 2027 General Election
- President Tinubu Mourns Brigadier-General Oseni Omoh Braimah and Fallen Soldiers After Borno Insurgent Attack
