By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has entered a new phase in its leadership with the appointment of veteran cop, Olatunji Disu, as the country’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police, following a distinguished career spanning more than three decades in law enforcement.
His appointment, announced on Tuesday, February 23, 2026, came on the heels of the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, in compliance with directives issued by President Bola Tinubu, signaling a leadership transition at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force amid ongoing institutional reforms and renewed efforts to strengthen internal security.
Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island in Lagos, Disu’s journey into policing began on May 18, 1992, when he enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force. Armed with a strong academic foundation, he graduated from Lagos State University with a degree in English Education, before advancing his intellectual and professional development with master’s degrees in Public Administration as well as Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology. His academic accomplishments were complemented by extensive professional training across Nigeria and abroad, where he undertook specialized courses in small arms smuggling, internet fraud investigations, strategic leadership, and forensic science, equipping him with critical competencies in modern policing.
Over the years, Disu carved out a reputation as a proactive and results-driven officer, holding several strategic operational and leadership positions that placed him at the forefront of crime control and intelligence-led policing. One of his most notable assignments was his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he spearheaded innovative crime-fighting strategies that significantly enhanced public safety and reinforced citizens’ confidence in the police.
His operational acumen earned him further elevation to head the Intelligence Response Team, where he assumed leadership following a critical transition period and played a key role in sustaining the unit’s mandate of tackling high-profile and organized crimes. Disu’s leadership credentials were further strengthened through his appointments as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and later in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where he oversaw complex security operations and coordinated law enforcement efforts in Nigeria’s political and administrative nerve centre.
Prior to his elevation as Inspector-General, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, one of the nation’s most critical investigative formations. In that role, he was credited with strengthening investigative standards, enhancing professionalism, and reinforcing the department’s capacity to tackle sophisticated criminal cases.
Widely respected within policing circles, Disu is regarded as a disciplined officer and strategic thinker whose career has been defined by operational excellence, professionalism, and a deep commitment to public service. His wealth of experience across intelligence, investigations, and command positions has earned him recognition as one of the force’s most seasoned leaders.
His emergence as Inspector-General is widely viewed as a continuation of steady and experienced leadership within the Nigeria Police Force, at a time when the institution is intensifying efforts to modernize its operations, improve investigative effectiveness, and deepen public trust in law enforcement.
With his vast experience and reform-minded background, expectations are high that Disu will steer the police force toward greater professionalism and operational efficiency as Nigeria confronts evolving security challenges in the years ahead.
