IGP’s Tenure: Tinubu Sends Executive Bill on Police Act Amendment to Lawmakers

Pat Stevens/

President Bola Tinubu has sent an executive bill to the House of Representatives, seeking amendment to the Nigeria Police Act.

The bill seeks to amend the Nigeria Police Act (Principal Act), 2020, to enable the person appointed as Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remain in office until the end of term stipulated in the letter of appointment.

The bill seeks to amend Section 8 of the Principal Act, by adding a new subsection (8A): “Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”

While reading the correspondence at today’s plenary, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said, “Here is another executive bill. The message reads as follows: ‘Transmission of Nigeria Police Act Amended Bill 2024’.

“Function to section 58 sub section 2 of the Constitution of Nigeria as amended, I forward here the above bill for consideration and passage by the House of Representatives.

“The Nigeria Police Amended bill 2024 seeks to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 with respect to appointment and tenure of the Inspector General of Police and related matters. While hoping that the House of Representatives will consider this submission in its usual expeditious manner, please accept, Right Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

The bill has been passed for a second reading and sent to the Committee on the Whole.

Currently, the Act says that an officer considered for the position of Inspector General of Police must have at least four years in service.