By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Abuja, September 19, 2025 – The Police Service Commission (PSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force through the introduction of compulsory promotion examinations for senior officers.
On Friday, 630 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) took written examinations at the Commission’s Parry Osayande Auditorium, Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, as part of the process for promotion to the rank of Superintendent of Police.
Declaring the exams open, retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, who represents the Judiciary in the Commission, emphasized that the PSC would continue to encourage officers to improve their knowledge base and mental capacity for effective service delivery. He stressed that henceforth, promotion examinations would determine the future of officers in the Force.
DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd, fdc), Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, described the exercise as both “timely and necessary,” noting that it would go a long way in repairing the Force’s image.
“There is a systemic rot in the Force, and that is why we are not much regarded any longer. Police is the only security agency where there is no promotion examination. We have decided to do exams, if you fail, you fail. We will continue to do the exams, and it will help the image of the Police Institution in the eyes of the public,”
he stated.
Lakanu also issued a stern warning to officers against attempting to bribe Commission staff, stressing that any officer caught offering money would be dismissed from the process.
The Commission announced that promotion examinations and interviews would continue next week with the Commissioner cadre, while a plenary meeting is expected later this month.
PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd, mni), assured that promotions would remain transparent, credible, and merit-based. He emphasized that the new system would ensure only deserving officers are promoted, thereby restoring dignity and respect to the Nigeria Police.
“The Police of our dream should be one that can work with minimal supervision and deliver without undue influence,”
Argungu said.
This reform is expected to enhance professionalism, discipline, and service delivery, while boosting the public’s confidence in the Force.
— By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Original Statement
PRESS RELEASE
PROMOTION EXAMS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE POLICE IMAGE, IF YOU FAIL YOU FAIL – PSC
The Police Service Commission today , Friday, September 19th 2025, continued with its compulsory promotion examination for senior Police Officers due for promotions to the next ranks.
Six hundred and thirty Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were recommended for promotion to the next rank of Superintendents of Police and were exposed to written examination held at the Commission’s Parry Osayande Auditorium at its Corporate Headquarters Jabi Abuja.
Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission while declaring the exams open said the Commission will continue to encourage the Officers to seek for knowledge and improve the quality of their mental capacity for effective service delivery.
Justice Galumje told the Officers that going forward, the promotion exams will determine their future.
DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Chairman of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Police matters, said in his introductory remarks to the Officers that Police promotion exams, was not only timely and necessary but will help the image of the Force.
“There is a systemic rot in the Force, and that is why we are not much regarded any longer. Police is the only security Agency where there is no Promotion examination. ” We have decided to do exams, if you fail you fail, we will continue do the exams and it will help the image of the Police Institution in the eyes of the public” he noted.
DIG Lakanu also warned the Officers, not to give money to any Staff of the Commission. We will send you away if caught bribing our staff. Pls don’t embarrass us, don’t give, our staff can not help you, he admonished the Officers.
The Promotion examinations and interviews continue next week with the Commissioner’s cadre with Plenary Meeting expected to hold later this month.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, has promised that the Commission will continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police are timely, credible, transparent and merit based.
DIG Argungu said the promotions must be earned and justifiable insisting that the Promotion examination for Officers will give credibility and respect to Officers wearing new ranks.
The Police of our dream should be the Police that can work with minimal supervision and can deliver without undue influence, the PSC Chairman noted.
Ikechukwu Ani
Head, Press and Public Relations
Friday, September 19th 2025
