PSC Chairman Argungu: Promotion Calls for Greater Discipline

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu (retd), has declared that promotion in the Nigeria Police Force is not just a recognition of past service, but also a profound call to greater responsibility, discipline, and sacrifice, urging the newly elevated officers to rise to the nation’s expectations.

Speaking on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at a special commendation session and grand reception organised by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in honour of the beneficiaries, the PSC Chairman implored the officers not to view the promotion as an end to their careers, but rather as a crucial new beginning in their service to the country. The event was held to honour senior police officers recently elevated in rank by the Commission, underscoring the shift towards merit-based career progression within the Force.

The challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force today, Argungu noted, are enormous and complex. These critical demands range from the immediate tasks of combating violent crimes, quelling insurgency, and tackling the surge in cybercrime and other digital-age threats, to managing the intricate demands of democratic policing in a rapidly changing society. The DIG stressed that given this demanding and multifaceted security environment, the nation would consistently look up to the newly promoted officers to demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering integrity, and the highest possible standards of professionalism at all times.

In his address, which was delivered by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, Argungu reaffirmed the Commission’s steadfast commitment to maintaining a transparent and equitable system for advancement within the Force. He explicitly stated that at the Police Service Commission, “we remain committed to ensuring that promotions are merit-driven, transparent and anchored on due process,” a policy that recently involved compulsory written and oral examinations for officers in certain cadres. He further added that this stringent, merit-based approach is the “surest way to inspire confidence, boost morale and reposition the Nigeria Police for optimum performance” across all its operational units, thereby enhancing public trust.

Turning his attention to the members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), a body crucial for civil-police synergy established to bridge the gap between the police and the community, the PSC Chairman expressed his sincere thanks for their unrelenting and vital support to both the Police Force and the Commission. He highlighted that the very existence and effectiveness of their partnership “is a testimony to the fact that security is a shared responsibility,” an acknowledgement that effective policing cannot be achieved without civilian cooperation. Argungu observed that in the interest of continually enhancing security and public trust, the collaborative spirit must continue to be nurtured and deepened. He concluded this point by stating that “we must continue to build bridges of trust and collaboration between the Police and the Communities they serve,” a key tenet of modern, community-oriented law enforcement.

In closing, the PSC chairman delivered a powerful moral lesson by reminding the decorated officers of the timeless principle that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” He charged them to “wear your new ranks with humility, carry out your duties with renewed vigour, and remain worthy ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force,” reminding them that their personal conduct, discipline, and professional excellence in the field will collectively define the Force’s image and operational success for years to come.