The Police Service Commission has announced that promotion examinations will henceforth be a mandatory requirement for officers seeking advancement in the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commission explained that the measure is intended to ensure that officers are mentally prepared for the demands of modern policing and that merit, competence, and character remain central to career progression.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, it was disclosed that over 400 senior officers appeared before the Commission for promotion interviews. The exercise involved 56 Chief Superintendents of Police recommended for elevation to Assistant Commissioners of Police and 451 Superintendents listed for consideration as Chief Superintendents.
The promotion candidates were examined in a written test presided over by Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, the Commissioner representing the Judiciary, and DIG Taiwo Lekanu (rtd), Commissioner representing the Police and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Police Affairs.
The Commission also indicated that Deputy Superintendents of Police will undergo their promotion examinations on Friday, September 19, 2025.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), was quoted as saying that he is committed to building “a new Police Force for the new Nigeria,” one that is prepared to protect lives and property and tackle crime effectively.
He maintained that the Commission would stay the course until this vision is achieved and urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Police to encourage officers to rededicate themselves to national service.
The statement read: “Over 400 senior Police Officers from across the Federation, today, Thursday, September 18th, appeared before the Police Service Commission and were subjected to promotion interviews prelude to their consideration for promotion to the next ranks.
“56 Chief Superintendents of Police were recommended for promotion to the next rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police while 451 Superintendents were recommended for consideration to the next rank of Chief Superintendents of Police.
“The candidates were subjected to written examination with Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary and DIG Bar. Taiwo Lekanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner representing the Police and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Police Affairs, Presiding.
“The Commission has decided to henceforth take promotion examination as an indispensable condition for promotion in the Nigeria police Force so as to ensure that these Police Officers are mentally equipped to face the challenges of the 21st Century policing in line with global best practices. This is also to ensure that merit, competence, and character counts.
“Deputy Superintendents of Police, DSPs are expected to appear before the Commission tomorrow, Friday, 19th, 2025, for their own round of promotion examination.
“Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni has consistently pushed for a dynamic new Police Force for the new Nigeria, which the present Government is ambitiously building. A Police Force that will be efficient, effective and dynamic, and ready and prepared to protect lives and properties and fight crimes and criminality.
“DIG, Argungu says the Commission will not rest until this is achieved and believes that the Commission is on the right track to its achievement. He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Nigeria Police Force as an encouragement for them to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland.”
