•••IGP says state police have come to stay, vows to prioritise officers’ welfare, handle protesters professionally
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday presided over the meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC, the first in 2026.
The twice-postponed FEC meeting was used to swear in Olatunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector General of Police IGP.
The President also administered oaths of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two from the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The meeting, which started at about 2 pm, is the highest policy-formulating body by the executive arm of government, including approving contracts from the memos submitted by Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs of the federal government.
BusinessDay gathered that the meeting is expected to deliberate on the federal government’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, the economy, as well as issues around security
The President conducted the ceremonies just before the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, senior government officials, and family members of the appointees.
Other top government officials included George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Head of the Civil Service, Esther Walson-Jack.
Speaking to State House Journalists after taking his oath of office, the IGP said Nigeria has no place for potential protesters leveraging on the ongoing global tension.
Read also: Police Council confirms Disu as Tinubu swears in IGP on Wednesday
He also reaffirmed his plans for the creation of state police, which he said “has come to stay”, even as he vowed to prioritise officers’ welfare.
“Everywhere in the world, we are aware of what is currently going on. Our ears are to the ground. We know we have groups of people, different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria. We have those who pay allegiance to this eastern part of the world as well. So we know if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussions will come to us.
“So we are putting all necessary actions. You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take the law into their hands.”
On his approach, he said: “I made up my mind to ensure that my officers get to know that we are working for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens of the country are our bosses.”
He stated that he had set up a committee, on Wednesday morning, to review the state police from the Nigeria Police perspective
“We don’t want it to seem as if others are making decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything. We want to ensure that the best thing is done. State police have come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”
Disu, while also speaking on the welfare concerns for officers, stressed that: “It is somebody who is well motivated that will put in their best. Our jobs are very difficult. A few years ago, when I was Commissioner of Police, FCT, I was bold enough to announce that we lost 140 policemen in just one year.
Disu described the job as ” very difficult”, but added that his men are committed to the tasks ahead.
“A lot of them don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very, very vital, and I’m lucky to be working with a President who has made up his mind to give us whatever we want.”
