The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to stop using academic, religious, traditional, professional and other honorary titles before their names in official correspondence.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, under the directive, police personnel are required to use only their official ranks before their names in official communications, in a move aimed at enforcing established regulations governing the conduct and professional identity of officers.
The directive was contained in a police wireless message dated October 14, 2026, obtained by SaharaReporters. The message, marked “Order and Directives,” was circulated to senior police officers and various departments, units and agencies within the Force.
According to the wireless message, Disu expressed displeasure over what he described as the excessive use of academic, traditional, religious, professional and other appellations by police personnel in official communications.
The message cited the combination of academic qualifications, police ranks and traditional honours as an example of the practice the police leadership intends to discontinue.
It gave the following example: “Dr ACP Bayo Kanayo Audu PSC MMA (Sarkin Yaki).”
The IGP reportedly said the practice violated provisions of the Public Service Rules 2021, the Police Act 2020 and Force Order 266, adding that it portrayed the Force in a negative light.
The directive instructed officers to ensure that no title other than their official police ranks appeared before their names in official correspondence, citing compliance with Force Order 266.
It also reminded personnel to adhere to Force Orders 37 and 103, which, according to the message, outline procedures for members of the Force to accept chieftaincy titles and regulate the use of appellations.
To ensure compliance, the IGP directed that the matter be incorporated into lectures within the Force to educate officers on the relevant regulations and the need to observe them.
Recipients of the wireless message were further instructed to treat the directive as a matter of utmost importance and ensure strict compliance across the Force.
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