The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed its intention to recognise and elevate officers who have shown exceptional bravery, dedication, and ethical conduct in the line of duty.
This recognition will come in the form of accelerated promotions recently approved by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The announcement was made on Monday through a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The initiative, he explained, reflects the unwavering commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to transforming the institution by inspiring officers through merit-based rewards.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General is set to honour officers who have exhibited outstanding performance and conduct, describing the upcoming promotions not merely as career advancements, but as national acknowledgements of excellence. These officers, the Force emphasized, represent the values of integrity, dedication, and courage that define true policing.
The Force reaffirmed a prior pledge to recognize officers who consistently distinguish themselves through annual police awards and commendations from the IGP. It cited a statement made in an earlier press release dated 25th July 2025, where it promised to recommend for accelerated promotion any officer who had either been named Police Officer of the Year or received the IGP’s commendation award in two consecutive cycles.
This policy was not arbitrary but emerged from a decision made during the Force Management Team’s meeting on 23rd June 2025. The names of eligible officers were subsequently sent to the Police Service Commission, whose approval has now been secured.
The formal decoration ceremony for these promoted officers is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, at noon, in the IGP Smart Conference Room located at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Among those to be decorated are CSP Shaba Aliyu, who earned the title of Police Officer of the Year in 2023 and is being promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, retroactive to 31st December 2023. Similarly, SP Sentome Obi, the 2024 recipient of the same title, will be elevated to Chief Superintendent of Police, effective from 31st December 2024.
In addition to these two, other officers—particularly those who have either won police awards in two recent cycles or have received multiple commendation letters for their exceptional work at the IGP’s Secretariat—will also benefit from the accelerated promotion process.
The Force has gone further to highlight the significance of this occasion. Special transport arrangements have been made, including the use of the police jet to bring the two top awardees to Abuja for their ceremonial decoration. To publicly honour their achievements, photographs of ACP Aliyu and CSP Obi have been prominently placed at the main entrance of the Force Headquarters. These images will also be displayed at all Zonal and State Command Headquarters, reinforcing their status as role models within the institution.
According to Adejobi, this symbolic recognition is part of a larger vision to foster pride, trust, and morale within the Nigeria Police Force. He stated that this is how institutional confidence is built and sustained—by spotlighting individuals who exemplify the ideals the Force aims to promote.
In his concluding remarks, Adejobi addressed all officers across the nation, reminding them that their efforts are not in vain. He assured them that under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, outstanding service and ethical conduct will not only be recognised but rewarded. The statement concluded by affirming the Force’s dedication to a culture where excellence is not the exception, but the rule.
What You Should Know
The Nigeria Police is set to decorate select officers with accelerated promotions in recognition of their exceptional service, integrity, and professional accomplishments.
This initiative reflects IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s push for internal reform, placing emphasis on performance-based recognition. Officers who have won major police awards or received consecutive commendations are being honoured, including CSP Shaba Aliyu and SP Sentome Obi.
Their images are being publicly displayed, and they will be flown to Abuja for a special decoration ceremony. The move is designed to inspire other officers and promote a culture of merit and institutional pride within the Force.
