The Inspector General of Police is the head of the Police Force and the most senior and highest-ranking officer in the police service. The person who appoints the IGP is usually the President by recommendations from the Nigeria Police Council.

The current inspector general of police is IGP Kayode Egbetokun. He has been in office since June 19, 2023. This brought the count of IGPs to 22 since Nigeria was in control of the force in 1964.

Chief Louis Edet is the first indigenous Nigerian to occupy the office of Inspector General of Police. The Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja is named after him as “Louis Edet House”.

The Current Inspector General of Police

Born on 4 September 1964, Kayode Egbetokun is the current IGP of the Police. He was appointed as “acting” by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023. Kayode Egbetokun is a native of Egbado South Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was first enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 3 March 1990 as a Cadet ASP (Course 16).

Aside from his Police duty, IGP Kayode Egetokun is an academic scholar, having received several degrees from Universities across Nigeria. From the University of Lagos, he has two degrees — a Masters in Engineering Analysis and a Bachelors in Mathematics. He earned his PhD certificate in Peace and Security from Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Before his appointment, the IGP served in the various commands, formations and departments of the Nigeria Police Force. One of particular significance was when he served between 1999 and 2005 as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor of Lagos State, who was at the time Bola Tinubu.

The IGP’s got hobbies too. He loves reading and playing Table Tennis. He’s also a fan of Chelsea FC.

List of Past Inspector General of Police in Nigeria from 1964

Below, we’ve listed in order of year every Inspector General of Police appointed since the country’s independence in 1960.

1. IGP Louis Edet: 1964–1966
2. IGP Kam Salem: 1966–1975
3. IGP Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu: 1975–1979
4. IGP Adamu Suleiman: 1979–1981
5. IGP Sunday Adewusi: 1981–1983
6. IGP Etim Inyang: 1985–1986
7. IGP Muhammadu Gambo-Jimeta: 1986–1990
8. IGP Aliyu Atta: 1990–1993
9. IGP Ibrahim Coomassie: 1993–1999
10. IGP Musiliu Smith: 1999–2002
11. IGP Mustafa Adebayo Balogun: 2002 – 2005
12. IGP Sunday Ehindero: 2005–2007
13. IGP Mike Mbama Okiro: 2007–2009
14. IGP Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo: 2009 – 2010
15. IGP Hafiz Ringim: 2010 – 2012
16. IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubarkar: 2012 – 2014
17. IGP Suleiman Abba: 2014 -2015
18. IGP Solomon E. Arase: 2015 – 2016
19. IGP Ibrahim Idris: 2016-January 15, 2019
20. IGP Abubakar Mohammed Adamu: January 15, 2019 – April 6, 2021
21. IGP Usman Ali Alkali Baba: April 6, 2021 – June 19, 2023
22. IGP Kayode Egbetokun (Acting): June 19, 2023 – till date.

What is the duty of the Inspector General of Police?

As the highest-ranking official, the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria sets strategic direction, enforces policies, and provides leadership to the police force.

Hence, the IGP’s key responsibilities include resource management, accountability, interagency cooperation, and community engagement to ensure public safety and trust in law enforcement across all states and local government areas.

Wrap-up

That’s it! We hope this comprehensive helped you in your research into past Nigerian IGPs. You can tell us in the comment section.

Abdulbasit Toriola

Abdulbasit Toriola is a versatile freelance writer. On this blog, he writes keenly about Nigeria and Nigerians who are breaking the odds. You can connect with him via any of the links below.