A call made to me by a Media Chief on the claim by one of the beneficiaries of tenure elongation that I want to destroy him baffles me. Why would I want to and how do I want to destroy individuals who have risen to the peak of their career? The call, confirmed one thing, there is an engagement with Media Chiefs across the board by the individuals concerned to blank out our sincere campaign for the right thing to be done in the media. We may therefore be left with Social Media and International media platforms. It must be on record for posterity to judge that we spoke out in an era when silence was deafening.
My business on this is with Mr President on behalf of the job seeking electorate, and career electorate. Let me assure the IGP, the CG and others like them waiting in hope of elongation when they should be on their way out that this is nothing personal.
The President is at a crossroad going forward to 2027 and I will like to give my advice pro bono on the path of honour and dignity for the sake of the “VOTE” economy, VE,. By “Vote Economy”, I meant, the need to be mindful of decisions and actions that may rob him of the people’s vote, which sheer display and deployment of Executive power to the benefits of individuals without consideration for collective interests is threatening. Such decisions and actions may be assuring in the short term, but may prove devastating in the long run. Particularly when such decisions or actions are against the demography of voters he needs to appeal to and impress going forward to 2027. The President should consult INEC to ascertain the voting pattern of Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 40 years of age in the last Presidential election, which captures those in hope of a career in the future and those already in their career in such institutions and who are hoping to grow.
The elongation of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Comptroller-General (CG) of paramilitary agencies (like Customs, Immigration, NSCDC, Prisons, etc.) has several practical and negative consequences, especially for young people who aspire to build careers in these institutions. Here are the key effects:
1. Career Progression Bottleneck
Elongated tenure blocks promotions.
Officers who should naturally rise through the ranks based on seniority and merit are stuck because the top leadership positions are occupied beyond the statutory period.
This leads to a clogged career pipeline, discouraging ambition and dampening morale.
> Example: A Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) close to retirement may be forced out, while the IGP stays beyond retirement age, truncating the upward movement of others.
2. Demotivation Among Younger Officers
Young, capable officers become demoralized when they realize promotions are not based on performance or merit, but political favoritism or personal loyalty.
This encourages a culture of “eye service” rather than professionalism.
> Practical effect: Many bright recruits may begin to look for exit options or resign early from service, draining the institutions of talent.
3. Corruption and Systemic Decay
When the tenure of top officers is arbitrarily extended, it sets a precedence that undermines institutional discipline.
Subordinates see that “connection to power” matters more than integrity or service record, which entrenches corruption and favoritism.
> Result: Young people enter these services not with a sense of duty, but to “wait for their turn” or seek political godfathers.
4. Loss of Hope for Entry-Level Aspirants
Entry opportunities become fewer and less frequent because:
Retirements are delayed.
Budgetary constraints limit new recruitment when old officers overstay.
The waiting list for recruitment grows longer, frustrating thousands of qualified young Nigerians.
> Example: A 26-year-old graduate who has met all recruitment requirements may wait 4–6 years for openings that are stalled due to the lack of retirements.
5. Legal Uncertainty and Institutional Distrust
Extending tenures contradicts the Public Service Rules and the Police Act 2020, which stipulate retirement at 60 years of age or 35 years in service.
This undermines public trust in the rule of law and weakens the integrity of the institution.
> Impact on youth: When young people see rules broken from the top, they grow cynical about governance, patriotism, and public service.
6. Increased Political Interference
Tenure elongation often results from presidential influence or political considerations.
It converts security chiefs into political loyalists, compromising their neutrality, especially during elections or civil unrest.
> Young officers and recruits are then socialized into a system that serves the regime in power, not the Constitution.
7. Stifled Institutional Renewal
Younger officers often bring fresh ideas, energy, and digital skills (like cybersecurity, digital policing, forensic analysis).
Tenure elongation prevents generational renewal, making the institutions less responsive to modern security challenges.
> Result: Institutions remain outdated, and young professionals in tech and criminology are shut out.
Summary: Who Pays the Price?
Younger people eager to join, grow, and serve; pay the price for tenure elongation:
Their entry is delayed,
Their growth is blocked,
Their trust is broken,
Their future is mortgaged to a system that recycles old hands in defiance to law and logic.
