‎PSC refutes claims of delayed promotion for police inspectors

‎The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed allegations of delays in the promotion of police inspectors who participated in the 2025 Departmental Selection Board (DSB) exercise, describing the claims as misleading and unsubstantiated.
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‎In a press statement issued On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Commission reacted to a report published by Sahara Reporters on January 21, titled “‘We’ve Done Everything Required’: Police Inspectors Protest Delayed Promotion Months After Passing 2025 Board Exercise.”
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‎The PSC said the report relied on anonymous sources and misrepresented its promotion processes.
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‎The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness, and merit-based promotions within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), noting that promotions are conducted strictly in line with established guidelines, statutory timelines, and available resources.
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‎Contrary to claims in the report that there had been “total silence” from the PSC and Force Headquarters, the Commission stated that all officers who took part in the 2025 DSB exercise had been duly informed of the status of their promotions through official channels.
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‎It added that comprehensive records of such communications are maintained, and officers with concerns are advised to seek clarification through their respective commands or directly from the PSC.
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‎Addressing comparisons drawn between inspector-level promotions and the faster elevation of senior officers, the Commission explained that promotions across ranks follow different procedural tracks. According to the PSC, senior officer promotions often involve fewer candidates and more streamlined reviews, while inspector-level promotions require broader verification processes, including background checks and performance audits across multiple commands and states.
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‎The Commission confirmed that the 2025 DSB exercise, conducted in December 2025, was successfully concluded and that processing of results is ongoing.
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‎ It stressed that there is no undue delay, adding that efforts have been intensified to conclude the process and make announcements in the coming days, in line with fiscal and administrative procedures.
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‎The PSC also dismissed suggestions of widespread demoralization within the Force or threats of early retirement by affected officers, describing such claims as speculative.
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‎It noted that no formal complaints had been received through institutional grievance channels and urged officers to utilize established procedures rather than resorting to media reports.
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‎Reiterating its commitment to the welfare and career progression of police personnel, the Commission said it has promoted thousands of officers in recent years without favoritism.
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‎It emphasized that any perceived delays are usually the result of due diligence aimed at ensuring integrity and equity in the promotion process.
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‎The PSC further urged media organisations to verify information with the Commission before publishing reports that could undermine public confidence in public institutions.
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‎The statement was signed by Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Police Service Commission, Abuja.