According to report by Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu the night before in the Presidential Villa, former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun resigned from his position on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The chief of police was not fired but voluntarily stepped down, according to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who verified the chiefās resignation.
Later on, he said, an official announcement would be issued. Egbetokun became a police officer after establishing a stellar reputation in academia and the business world. He was born on September 4, 1964, in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State.
He joined the police force after working for a short time as a mathematics professor at Yaba College of Technology after earning his BS in the subject in 1987 from the University of Lagos. On March 3, 1990, Egbetokun became a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police when he joined the Nigeria Police Force.
He began his long-term professional association with the current president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after being named Chief Security Officer to then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu upon Nigeriaās restoration to democratic governance in 1999.
A dedicated student, he earned a Master of Business Administration, a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics, and a Master of Engineering Analysis between 1996 and 2004.
Al-Hikmah University awarded him a doctorate in peace and security studies afterward. Egbetokun served in a variety of high-ranking capacities with the Nigerian police force.
He was a prominent figure in law enforcement in Kwara State and the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) from 2005 to 2022. He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, an appointment made by President Tinubu.
Even though he was supposed to retire at the age of 60 in September 2024, the modified Police Act 2024 allowed him to serve an additional term of four years as IGP.
The official submission of Egbetokunās resignation letter occurred on the morning of February 24, 2026, marking the end of his reign.
At the Force Headquarters in Abuja, a ceremonial handover is likely to take place following the announcement of Tunji Disu as his successor.
