The Nigeria Police Council on Monday, 2nd March,2026 unanimously ratified the appointment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), clearing the path for his formal swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, 4th March 2026.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The Council meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, in line with constitutional provisions.
Other top government officials present included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike; and the Head of Service, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack.
Speaking after the Council’s endorsement, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the Acting IGP’s track record, particularly his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos between 2015 and 2021. According to Sanwo-Olu, Disu’s leadership during the period earned the RRS recognition for excellence in crime control and rapid intervention operations.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State described the appointment as merit-based, citing Disu’s “excellent career record” within the force.
In his own remark, the FCT Minister Wike lauded the new police chief, recalling Disu’s service in Rivers State as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and Officer-in-Charge of the anti-kidnapping unit between 2014 and 2015. He later served as Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command during Wike’s tenure as minister. Wike commended him for his efficiency in tackling crime and strengthening strategic security interventions across the capital territory.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seconded the motion endorsing Disu’s appointment at the Council meeting.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, earning multiple academic and professional qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship, credentials seen as reflective of a knowledge-driven approach to modern policing.
Before his latest elevation, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Lagos.
With his endorsement by the Police Council and impending swearing-in, expectations are high that Disu’s leadership will usher in renewed strategies to combat crime and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s policing architecture.
