The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, resigned from his position on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. His exit followed a Monday night meeting at the Presidential Villa with President Bola Tinubu.
While the presidency stated that the resignation was for personal family reasons, reports indicate it followed a directive from the president.
Below are 10 key things to know about the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tinubu replaces Kayode Egbetokun, appoints Tunji Disu as new IGP
-
Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun was born on September 4, 1964, in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
-
He graduated from University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1987. He worked as a Mathematics lecturer at Yaba College of Technology before his police career.
-
He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on March 3, 1990, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
-
Following the return to democracy, he was appointed Chief Security Officer to the then Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in 1999.
-
He earned multiple postgraduate degrees during his service between 1996 and 2004, including a master’s in Engineering Analysis, a PGD in Petroleum Economics, and an MBA.
-
He served in various leadership roles from 2005 to 2022, including Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos and Commissioner of Police in Kwara State.
-
He obtained a PhD in Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University.
-
On June 19, 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed him as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police to succeed Usman Alkali Baba.
-
Although he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024, his tenure was extended under the amended Police Act 2024, which allows for a four-year term.
-
He submitted his resignation letter on the morning of February 24, 2026. Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), is expected to be named as his successor.
The resignation of Kayode Egbetokun concludes a tenure defined by his long-standing professional ties to the current administration and his firm stance against the decentralisation of the police force.
A formal handover ceremony is expected at the Force Headquarters Abuja as the government prepares to announce a substantive replacement.