Over the years, the Nigeria Police Force has been able to survive numerous challenges and emerge rather successfully, thanks to the men who have held the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Beginning from the first Nigeria Police Force’s IGP, appointed in 1964, Sir Louis Edet to the present Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun, every IGP has been challenged with the task of providing safety and security to Nigerians within the context of changing circumstances including crime and the practice of policing.
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List of Inspectors General of Police in Nigeria
| No | Inspector General of Police | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Louis Edet | 1964 – 1966 |
| 2 | Kam Salem | 1966 – 1974 |
| 3 | Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu | 1975 – 1979 |
| 4 | Adamu Suleiman | 1979 – 1981 |
| 5 | Sunday Adewusi | 1981 – 1983 |
| 6 | Etim Inyang | 1985 – 1986 |
| 7 | Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta | 1986 – 1990 |
| 8 | Aliyu Attah | 1990 – 1993 |
| 9 | Ibrahim Coomassie | 1993 – 1999 |
| 10 | Musiliu Smith | 1999 – 2002 |
| 11 | Mustafa Adebayo Balogun | 2002 – 2005 |
| 12 | Sunday Ehindero | 2005 – 2007 |
| 13 | Mike Mbama Okiro | 2007 – 2009 |
| 14 | Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo | 2009 – 2010 |
| 15 | Hafiz Ringim | 2010 – 2012 |
| 16 | Mohammed Dikko Abubakar | 2012 – 2014 |
| 17 | Suleiman Abba | 2014 – 2015 |
| 18 | Solomon Arase | 2015–2016 |
| 19 | Ibrahim Kpotun Idris | 2016–2019 |
| 20 | Mohammed Adamu | 2019–2021 |
| 21 | Usman Alkali Baba | 2021–2023 |
| 22 | Kayode Egbetokun | 2023–Present |
First Inspector General: Sir Louis Edet
Sir Louis Edet was the first Inspector General of Police in Nigeria from the year 1964 to 1966. He was an important person who helped in the formation of the Nigeria Police Force and its years of growth in the early years of independence.
Professionalism and commitment to the public was emphasized in leadership which had always been the game plan of modern policing in Nigeria from history.
Achievement of the Sir Louis Edet: First Inspector General of Police
- Establishing Professions: From 1964 to 1966, Sir Louis Edet served as the first IGP of Nigeria. He is regarded as the initiator of contemporary policing in Nigeria. He strongly advocated the need for discipline in the management of the police force, calling for the employment of younger and educated people and enhancing the level of training carried out.
- Augmentation of Police Services: There was also remarkable expansion in the police region under his tenure. He managed the processes for the creation of new police divisions and their stations to ensure that policing services were distributed evenly across the country.
- Promotion of Community Policing: Edet promoted the practice of community policing and encouraged the police to work with the citizens on issues affecting their security. This was geared towards building confidence and helping the social order.
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Present Inspector General: Kayode Egbetokun
Kayode Egbetokun was appointed the 22nd Inspector General of Police by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023. Prior to this, he worked as a Deputy Inspector General of Police and held several high-profile positions including Manager of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.
Egbetokun’s focus is to improve security and the image of the police in the eyes of the public in relation to crime prevention and public order.
Achievements of Kayode Egbetokun (Current Inspector General of Police)
- Technology-Driven Policing Initiatives: As an intelligent and resourceful leader with great vision for the modern police force, Egbetokun has been into the incorporation of modern technology within the police processes, for example, the integrating of cameras and crime analysis to detect and respond to crime. This is to advance the clean-up of the image of the force and also enhance its operational efficiency.
- Psychological and Lifestyle Intervention: Taking into account the challenges that come along with being a police officer, Egbetokun has made the mental health and wellness of the officers a priority which has encouraged them while on duty.
- Development of Educational Systems: This administration is also committed towards improving the training of the police force, preparing them on how to deal with the contemporary issues in law enforcement.
