In a sweeping reorganisation of the Nigeria Police Force, over 29,000 rank-and-file officers and 4,708 Inspectors have been promoted, following months of agitation over poor welfare and the viral #PoliceProtest campaign.

The promotions, approved by the Inspector-General of Police and backed by the Police Service Commission (PSC)—are part of what is being described as one of the largest internal promotions in recent history.

According to internal documents marked “RANK-AND-FILE PROMOTION GENERAL 2025”, 29,137 junior officers across all 36 states and the FCT have been promoted:from Police Constable to Corporal, from Corporal to Sergeant, and

from Sergeant to Inspector

The promotions are retroactively effective from April 3, 2024, and July 14, 2025, based on enlistment dates of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2020. The police warned that those enlisted from 2021 onward are not eligible.

Female officers were included, identified with prefixes like W/PC and W/SGT—but constituted a small percentage.

A state-by-state breakdown showed Anambra (1,089) had the highest number of promoted officers, followed by Imo (1,064) and Kwara (1,061). Surprisingly, Lagos recorded just 857 promotions, lagging behind smaller states like Sokoto (844) and Benue (824).

A separate classified wireless message confirmed the elevation of 4,708 Inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II). The PSC’s letter, dated July 22, 2025, authorised the promotions on recommendation from the Inspector-General.

The directive was sent to all Zonal and State Commands, as well as specialised departments like CID, INTERPOL, EOD, and Border Patrol. Promoted officers came from all geopolitical zones, with effective dates ranging from June to August 2023.

The promotions follow intense public pressure, including the #PoliceProtest led by Omoyele Sowore, alongside activists Deji Adeyanju and Dan Bello, who demanded better pay, fair pension systems, and improved post-retirement conditions.

Sowore hailed the development as “a result of pressure, protest, and a people who refuse to stay silent,” dismissing the move as a goodwill gesture by authorities. He emphasised that the long-neglected lower ranks were now experiencing long-overdue recognition.

Retired police officers also used the protest to call for the immediate withdrawal of the Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme, citing severe economic hardship, financial embarrassment, and growing mental health crises among retirees.