The officers claimed that the forthcoming promotion process is targeted to benefit the Inspector General of Police and his cronies, who recently got their PhDs from private universities.

A growing number of disgruntled police officers have accused the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission (PSC) of abandoning them after they submitted academic documents for promotion in 2023.

The officers, mostly within the inspectorate cadre and the rank-and-file, said the force’s recent signal calling for doctoral degree (PhD) holders for a fresh promotion exercise is not only discriminatory but a slap in the face of thousands of personnel who have been waiting for recognition based on their HND, BSc, and master’s degrees.

In exclusive interviews with SaharaReporters, several officers spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing fears of intimidation, victimisation, and career sabotage.

“What I am saying is that in 2023, when they asked for our documentation, we thought maybe the authorities were finally ready to upgrade us or promote us based on our academic qualifications,” one officer said.

“Up till now, nothing has happened. So what was the essence of that whole process? They collected our documents, went quiet, and are now bringing another signal focused on PhD holders. We don’t really understand what’s happening anymore. Even the Police Service Commission that’s supposed to supervise promotions is not doing anything. We feel abandoned.”

Another officer echoed the same frustration.

“They told us then that once we submitted our documents, the promotion process would follow automatically. That was in 2023. Since then, we’ve been waiting. Then they came up again this year with a new signal from Abuja asking only for officers who have PhDs and had approval to go on study leave. Where did this new condition come from?” the police officer said.

He continued: “In 2023, they didn’t mention study leave. They only asked for degree holders to document. Now they’re talking about study leave approval and PhDs only. Is it even possible for a rank-and-file officer to get a study leave and complete a PhD while still serving? It’s clear they are not serious or they are being selective.”

The officers claimed that the forthcoming promotion process is targeted to benefit the Inspector General of Police and his cronies, who recently got their PhDs from private universities.

“Even some of the senior officers only recently obtained their PhDs from places like Al-Hikmah University. So what happens to those of us that have been holding degrees for years and have applied since 2023? If they want to promote officers based on qualifications, then promote all of us fairly,” one of the officers added.

In a recently circulated wireless message obtained by SaharaReporters, the police authorities, through a signal dated May 15, 2025, marked CE:2300/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.4/292 X PROMOTION GENERAL—directed zonal and state commands to compile and forward lists of officers with Ph.D. qualifications and study leave approval.

The memo read in part: “You are to urgently send a list of all officers—inspectors and rank-and-file—currently serving under your command who hold doctorate degrees (Ph.D). Additionally, forward information regarding officers with approved postings for study, including those with first degrees, master’s degrees, and Ph.D. certificates.”

Officers say the message is not only exclusionary but appears designed to benefit only a few stationed at Force Headquarters or police training institutions.

“From what we understand, they are only considering those at the headquarters and training schools,” one officer said. “Those of us serving across various state commands—who submitted our documents in good faith since 2023—have now been completely left out.”

“This is a clear violation of civil service principles and an injustice to those of us serving in commands outside the headquarters (Abuja),” one of the officers said.

“If promotion is based on merit and qualifications, then it should be uniform and fair.”

They called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission to urgently revisit the 2023 documentation and ensure that officers who submitted their academic records are considered before rolling out a fresh round of promotions.

“We believe the media can help highlight our case. We’ve exhausted internal channels. They’re not responding. The Police Service Commission and Force Headquarters must be held accountable,” another officer said.

The officer added: “They focus on those closest to Abuja or in training institutions. But the officers out there in Jos, Kano, Maiduguri, Kaduna, who do the real work, are completely ignored.”

“What they are doing is illegal,” one of the officers said. “And we are saying it now because we’ve had enough. If they cannot manage promotions with transparency, then let them stop wasting people’s time asking for documentation they will never use.”

As of press time, Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, had yet to respond to SaharaReporters’ request for clarification regarding the status of police officers who submitted their academic credentials since 2023.

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