The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced that any senior police officer who fails the compulsory promotion examination three times will be retired at their current rank for incompetence.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 29, 2025, by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.
The statement noted that 30 senior officers, including one Assistant Inspector-General, two Commissioners, 11 Deputy Commissioners, and 16 Assistant Commissioners of Police, sat for the written test at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Chairman of the PSC, retired Deputy Inspector-General Hashimu Argungu, said the promotion examination has now become a key requirement for career progression in the Nigeria Police Force. He stressed that failure to meet the standard after three attempts would leave the officer with no option but compulsory retirement.
“Any officer that fails the examination three times will be retired at that level for obvious incompetence,” Argungu declared.
The PSC boss added that the Commission is determined to uphold integrity in the promotion process, stressing that due diligence will be observed to avoid errors such as promoting retired or deceased officers.
Other Commissioners present during the exercise included retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice Christine Ladi Dabup, retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, retired DIG Uba Bala Ringim, and Alhaji Abdulfatah Mohammed.
