Over 400 police officers lament delayed promotions in Nigeria

A group of aggrieved police officers from the Nigeria Police Force have cried out over what they describe as a long-standing injustice in their career progression.

The officers, who are members of Cadet Inspector Courses 40 and 41 of 2012, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), calling for an urgent review of their stagnant promotion status.

The petition, dated March 25, 2025, was submitted through renowned legal practitioner Femi Adedeji, Esq., of Falana & Falana’s Chambers. It urges the IGP to adjust their promotion date from 2019 to 2018 “on compassionate grounds.”

“Our clients have been unfairly stagnated in rank, with only one promotion since their enlistment in 2012, while their counterparts have risen through the ranks,” the letter reads.

According to the petition, the affected officers — 444 in number — were trained at the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC), Wudil, Kano, alongside their colleagues from Cadet ASP Courses 25 and 26 of the same year.

However, while the ASP courses have received multiple promotions — some attaining the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) — the cadet inspectors remain stuck at the Assistant Superintendent of Police 1 (ASP 1) rank.

“It may interest you to know that our clients completed their Departmental Selection Board (DSB) between December 2 and 16, 2019, before the passing out of Regular Course 2, yet RC 2 was promoted ahead of them,” Adedeji stated. “This has raised serious questions about equity and seniority.”

The lawyers argue that the delay has led to a situation where officers who were once junior to the cadet inspectors have now surpassed them in rank and seniority.

Meanwhile, Regular Course 2 intakes, who should have been junior, received promotions to DSP in December 2024, while the cadet inspectors were left out entirely.

“This situation has made our clients wonder if being a Cadet Inspector is a ‘curse’ rather than a ‘course,’” the letter lamented.

However, despite their grievances, the officers commended the IGP for his efforts to improve police welfare and recognize the promotions of other ranks recruited on or before 2020.

They expressed hope that their cases would be reviewed with the same urgency.

“An adjustment of the promotion date to 2018 will not only correct a structural imbalance but also boost morale and performance within the force,” the letter concluded.

They appealed to the IGP and the PSC chair to “restore dignity” to the affected officers and place them in their rightful positions.

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