A security expert says Nigeria needs to stop limiting the appointment of the Inspector General of Police to career police officers.

Charles Omole made the proposal on Friday at the June 12, 2026 edition of The Platform, an event hosted by the Covenant Nation.

"Part of the reform we need after state police becomes operational involves changing how our Inspectors-General of Police are appointed," Omole said.

He argued that the highest professional policing rank anywhere in the world is Commissioner. Anything above that, he said, is political.

"Therefore, an Inspector-General of Police doesn't have to come from the rank and file of the police. We need to widen that pool over time," he added.

Omole is a lawyer and security expert. He spoke on the need to prioritise police reform as Nigeria's primary internal security institution.

"There are nations on earth that don't have armed forces, but there is no nation on earth that doesn't have a police force," he said.

He cited Costa Rica, Iceland, Panama, and Mauritius as countries that have no military but remain peaceful.

"But because there is no nation without a police force, our police should become more of a priority," Omole said.

His comments come as Nigeria debates the creation of state police forces. The conversation around police reform has gained momentum in recent years, with many calling for better funding, training, and accountability.

Omole's proposal would mark a significant shift from the current practice. Since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, every IGP has been a career police officer who rose through the ranks.

He didn't specify what qualifications or experience an external candidate should have. But he suggested that other countries have models Nigeria could learn from.

"Time won't permit me to go through the different ways various countries appoint their police chiefs, but we need to widen the pool," he said.

The event also featured other speakers, but Omole's remarks on police reform stood out. His call to open the IGP position to non-police officers is likely to spark debate among security experts and policymakers.

"The highest professional policing rank in the world is Commissioner. Anything above the rank of Commissioner is political."

Omole said the police must become the priority institution for internal security, even over the military. He argued that reform of the police force should be the focus of government attention.

"We must focus on the reform of the police as a primary institution for internal security," he said.

  • Charles Omole is a lawyer and security expert.
  • He spoke at The Platform on June 12, 2026.
  • He proposes appointing IGPs from outside the police rank and file.
  • He argues the highest professional police rank is Commissioner.
  • He cited Costa Rica, Iceland, Panama, and Mauritius as countries without a military.
  • State police is expected to become operational before this reform is considered.