PSC Chairman Puts an End to Special Promotions in Police

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, announced on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, that the Commission will no longer endorse irregular promotion practices within the Nigeria Police Force. Argungu emphasized that all future promotions will be strictly merit-based, relying on the successful completion of prescribed examinations and meeting other essential criteria.

In his statement, Argungu declared, “There is no such thing as special promotions anywhere in the world. The Commission under my leadership will not support it.” This marked a decisive move to abolish the controversial practice of special promotions within the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking to the executive members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, the PSC Chairman reiterated that special promotions are now officially abolished. However, he clarified that the law does allow for accelerated promotions for officers who demonstrate exceptional skill in their duties, though he stressed that this provision would be used sparingly to prevent misuse.

“Promotion will now be based on merit, with written examinations and interviews as the determining factors,” Argungu stated. He further added that seniority alone would no longer guarantee advancement in the ranks. “Any officer who fails the promotion examination will remain at their current rank, and if they fail three times, they will be retired at that level for incompetence,” he warned.

Argungu called for the support of retired police officers, noting that their experience would be invaluable in guiding this new direction. Reflecting on his own career, he expressed his pride in the Nigeria Police Force, where he served and retired as a Deputy Inspector General. “A policeman should be like Caesar’s wife—above suspicion, putting country first. If I had the chance to live again, I would still choose to be a policeman,” he remarked.

The Chairman of the Association, retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Paul Ochonu, expressed the Association’s loyalty to the PSC’s leadership. He mentioned that the retired officers had welcomed the appointments of both the National Security Adviser and the PSC Chairman from within the police ranks, hoping for a unified and collaborative relationship with the Inspector General of Police.

Ochonu encouraged Argungu to establish a positive and forward-looking partnership with the Nigeria Police High Command, emphasizing that such a relationship would not only benefit the two federal agencies but also meet the expectations of the general public. He also urged the PSC Chairman to foster a strong working synergy among the heads of the Police, the Commission, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, believing that such collaboration would be immensely beneficial to the Force and its personnel.

DIG Argungu received the delegation alongside retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, who is also a Commissioner in the Commission.