PSC Denies Promotion Delays, Upholds Merit-Based Police Advancement

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has firmly rejected allegations of delays in police promotions, calling such claims misleading and unfounded. This response follows a report from an online news outlet published on January 21, 2026, which suggested that police inspectors were protesting due to prolonged promotion delays after successfully completing the 2025 Departmental Selection Board (DSB) exercises.

In a statement issued by Mr. Torty Njoku Kalu, the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs for the PSC, the Commission emphasized its commitment to transparency and merit-based advancement within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Kalu noted that the promotion process adheres strictly to established guidelines, including the completion of DSB exercises and alignment with statutory timelines and available resources.

The PSC refuted the report’s assertion that officers had received no communication regarding their promotion status. “The assertion of ‘total silence’ or lack of explanation from the PSC or Force Headquarters is inaccurate,” the statement clarified. Kalu explained that officers are informed of their evaluations through official channels. The Commission maintains detailed records of all communications, and officers are encouraged to seek clarifications through their commands or directly from the PSC.

Promotion Processes Clarified

Addressing the claim that promotions for inspectors have stalled while senior officers advanced quickly, the PSC described this comparison as misleading. The Commission explained that promotion protocols vary by rank. Senior-level promotions typically involve fewer candidates and a more streamlined process, while inspector-level promotions encompass larger numbers and necessitate additional layers of verification.

“Background checks, performance assessments, and administrative processes across multiple commands are part of this verification,” the statement noted. The 2025 DSB exercise was successfully concluded in December 2025, and the results are currently being processed as scheduled. The PSC assured that there is no undue delay and that efforts are being intensified to finalize the announcements in the coming days, contingent upon fiscal and administrative requirements.

The PSC also dismissed suggestions that the situation has led to widespread demoralization among junior officers, explaining that no formal complaints had been lodged through recognized institutional channels. “Officers are encouraged to utilize established grievance procedures rather than resorting to the media,” the Commission advised.

Commitment to Officer Welfare

Reaffirming its dedication to personnel welfare and career progression, the PSC stated that it continues to collaborate closely with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, under the leadership of its chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General Hashimu Salihu Argungu. The PSC highlighted that thousands of officers have been promoted in recent years without favoritism, attributing any perceived delays to rigorous due diligence aimed at maintaining integrity and equity within the system.

The Commission urged media organizations to verify facts with them before publishing reports that could undermine public confidence in national institutions. By doing so, the PSC aims to foster a more informed dialogue about police promotions and the processes that govern them, ensuring that both officers and the public have a clear understanding of the mechanisms at play.