Police Seek Personnel With Advanced Degrees as IGP Orders Urgent Submission of Names

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed police commands and formations across Nigeria to compile and submit details of serving personnel who possess advanced academic qualifications. The directive specifically covers inspectors and rank-and-file officers holding PhD, master’s degrees or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) certificates. The order was contained in a police wireless message dated September 14, 2026, and marked “Most/Immediate.” According to the directive, the relevant commands, departments, police colleges and training institutions were required to submit the information to the Force Secretary’s Office by Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The police authorities also requested the officers’ posting signals alongside details of their academic qualifications. The development comes as the Nigeria Police Force continues efforts to strengthen professional and knowledge-driven policing. Earlier this year, the IGP said the Force needed specialists in areas including forensics, criminology, cybersecurity and data analytics, stressing the importance of science, research and technology in tackling emerging security challenges. The Police Act also provides for the appointment of professionals in relevant fields, including engineering, medicine, law, psychology, accountancy and forensic science, as specialists within the Force. The latest directive could therefore help the police identify personnel whose advanced academic training may be relevant to specialised duties, training and other areas of modern law enforcement. The Police Service Commission has also identified the appointment of specialists as part of its responsibilities in police recruitment. As the September 16 deadline approaches, attention is now on how the information gathered from officers with advanced qualifications will be used within the Nigeria Police Force.