Olatunji Rilwan Disu is a senior Nigerian police officer and law enforcement leader serving as the 23rd Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Widely recognized for his expertise in policing, intelligence-led security operations, and public safety, Disu has built a distinguished career through decades of dedicated service in the Nigeria Police Force.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2026, he assumed leadership of the force during a crucial period marked by growing demands for stronger security coordination, crime prevention, and institutional reform. His extensive operational experience and strategic leadership continue to shape modern policing in Nigeria. This article explores Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s biography, police career, achievements, personal life, and leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Known widely as Tunji Disu, he has built a career spanning more than three decades marked by operational command, investigative leadership, and administrative responsibility across several strategic postings. His professional journey reflects a consistent focus on proactive policing, community engagement, and the application of specialised training in crime control and intelligence work. This biography presents a clear account of his background, education, career progression, personal interests, and public service record.
Olatunji Disu Early Life
Olatunji Rilwan Disu was born on 13 April 1966 in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian by nationality and hails from Lagos Island Local Government Area in Lagos State. Lagos Island forms a historic and commercial heart of Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria. The area is characterised by dense urban settlement, significant trading activity, and a long tradition of cultural and administrative importance within the Yoruba speaking southwest of the country. Growing up in this environment exposed him to the complexities of a major African metropolis, including the challenges of urban security, social organisation, and public service.
His early schooling began at Holy Cross Cathedral Primary School. He later completed his primary education at Mayflower Junior School in Ikenne, Ogun State, finishing in 1979. Secondary education followed at Pobuna Secondary Grammar School in Epe and then at Saint Gregory’s College in Lagos, where he completed his studies in 1985. These formative years in both Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State provided a foundation of discipline and academic preparation that would later support his entry into higher education and professional service.
Olatunji Disu Education
After secondary school, Olatunji Disu gained admission to Lagos State University, where he studied English Education. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education in 1990. He later obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies, also from Lagos State University. Additional professional certification included a course in Personal Protection completed in the United Kingdom.
He continued his academic development with two master’s degrees. The first was a Master in Public Administration awarded by Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba, Ondo State, in 2010. The second was a Master in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University, completed in 2022. These qualifications combined language and education training with specialised knowledge in public administration, security studies, and criminal psychology, equipping him for the analytical and leadership demands of modern policing.
Throughout his career he has undertaken numerous professional courses both inside and outside Nigeria. These include training in small arms smuggling in Botswana, internet fraud investigation at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, strategic leadership at the Police Staff College in Jos, and forensic investigations and criminal intelligence at the University of Lagos. Such continuous learning has reinforced his emphasis on intelligence led and evidence based approaches to law enforcement.
Olatunji Disu Career
Olatunji Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on 18 May 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. He received his initial training at the Nigeria Police Academy. From the outset his career progressed through a series of operational and investigative postings that built practical experience across different regions of the country.
Early Operational Roles
He served as Divisional Police Officer in several locations, including Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Ikare and Owo in Ondo State, and Elimbu and Elelenwo in Rivers State. In these roles he managed day to day policing, community relations, and local crime control. He also commanded Special Anti Robbery Squad units in Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers States and served as second in command of the State Criminal Investigations Department in Rivers State. These assignments developed his capacity for direct crime fighting and unit leadership under varied operational conditions.
International Peacekeeping Experience
In 2005 he led the first Nigerian Police contingent on the African Union Mission in Sudan. While serving in Darfur he was appointed acting Chief of Staff of the contingent and remained in that capacity until his return to Nigeria in 2006. This international deployment provided exposure to multinational peace support operations, coordination with foreign forces, and the practical challenges of maintaining order in a conflict affected environment.
Leadership of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad
From 13 June 2015 to 2 August 2021 he commanded the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad. Under his leadership the unit adopted a style of policing that combined rapid intervention with community engagement and proactive problem solving. Officers were encouraged to operate as “The Good Guys,” a designation intended to promote responsible law enforcement while remaining approachable to citizens. The squad made systematic use of crime mapping and hot spot policing, positioning patrol resources to reduce visible crime across Lagos.
The Rapid Response Squad under his command received recognition for assisting motorists with broken down vehicles, supporting accident victims, and providing first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation when needed. During the COVID 19 lockdown in 2020, officers transported a woman in labour to hospital. The unit also made ambulances available to assist protesters requiring medical care during the End SARS demonstrations of 2020. These actions contributed to improved public perception of the squad and strengthened cooperation between the police and residents of Lagos.
Intelligence and Headquarters Roles
After leaving the Rapid Response Squad he served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters in Abuja. On 2 August 2021 he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team, succeeding Abba Kyari. In this role he directed specialised investigations into complex criminal networks, including financial fraud and organised crime. In July 2022 the then Inspector General of Police publicly commended the team for successes that included the disruption of a fraud syndicate targeting bank accounts.
He was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police in March 2023. Subsequent postings included Commissioner of Police for Rivers State from November 2023 to October 2024 and Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory from October 2024 to March 2025. In these commands he oversaw law enforcement in politically and economically sensitive areas. He later served as Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex at Alagbon in Lagos, where he focused on strengthening investigative standards and case management.
Appointment as Inspector General of Police
In February 2026 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Acting Inspector General of Police following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun. The Nigeria Police Council later confirmed the appointment, making him the 23rd indigenous Inspector General of Police. He assumed office at a moment when the Force faced demands for greater professionalism, reduced misconduct, and more effective responses to kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes. Early statements in the role have stressed the importance of public trust, intelligence gathering, integrity, and zero tolerance for corruption or abuse of office.
Olatunji Disu State of Origin and Cultural Background
Olatunji Disu originates from Lagos Island in Lagos State. Lagos Island is one of the oldest and most historically significant parts of Lagos. It has long functioned as a centre of commerce, administration, and cultural exchange. The area is predominantly Yoruba in ethnic composition, and its residents have traditionally maintained strong ties to education, trade, and public service.
Growing up in this environment gave Disu early familiarity with the pressures of rapid urbanisation, the need for effective security structures, and the expectations placed on public institutions in a major commercial hub. His subsequent postings across Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory expanded this foundation into a nationwide understanding of Nigeria’s diverse security challenges.
Olatunji Disu Professional Memberships
He is a member of several professional bodies that reflect his interest in both local and international standards of policing and investigation. These include the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, the International Institute of Certified Forensics Investigation Professionals, the International Academy of Forensics, and the National Association of Investigative Specialists in the United States. Membership of these organisations supports continuous professional development and exchange of best practices.
Olatunji Disu Achievements in Judo
Beyond policing, Olatunji Disu has maintained a long standing commitment to the martial art of judo. He began practising in 1986 and holds a third dan black belt. He has competed successfully at national and international levels. Achievements include a gold medal at the National Sports Festival in Bauchi in 1990, two gold medals at the Nigerian Police Games, a silver medal at the Armed Forces and Police Games, and a gold medal at the first veteran championships organised by the Nigerian Police in November 2021.
On 31 July 2022 he won a silver medal in the minus 100 kilogram category of the veteran division at the 33rd United States Open Judo Championship. He previously served as Chairman of the Lagos State Judo Association and currently serves as patron of the Nigerian Police Judo Association. His involvement in the sport demonstrates personal discipline and a commitment to physical fitness that complements the demands of operational policing.
Olatunji Disu Awards
Recognition of his work has come from both national and regional bodies. Under his command the Lagos Rapid Response Squad received the best anti crime police squad award in West Africa from Security Watch Africa in 2016. In the same year he was named Most Outstanding Police Operational Officer in West Africa, and Lagos was recognised as the best security and most safety conscious state in Africa.
In 2019 he received the Most Outstanding Anti Crime Police Chief award in the West and Central Africa category, while the Rapid Response Squad was named Most Outstanding Urban Crime Control Police Command in the same region. He was also honoured as Man of the Year by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria. Additional recognition includes awards for operational excellence as a Divisional Police Officer in Ondo State and later distinctions linked to his service as Commissioner of Police.
Olatunji Disu Personal Life
Details of Olatunji Disu’s private family life remain largely out of the public domain, consistent with the preference of many senior security officers for privacy. He is known to maintain close ties to his mother, who has been publicly acknowledged during significant career milestones. His professional and sporting commitments indicate a lifestyle organised around discipline, continuous learning, and public service. The combination of academic achievement, operational experience, and sporting excellence suggests a balanced approach to personal development that supports the demands of high level leadership.
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Conclusion
Olatunji Rilwan Disu has risen from cadet officer to the highest rank in the Nigeria Police Force through steady accumulation of operational experience, specialised training, and demonstrated leadership across multiple commands. His career reflects a consistent emphasis on proactive crime control, community oriented policing, and the use of intelligence in complex investigations.
The appointment as Inspector General of Police places him at the centre of efforts to strengthen the Force at a time of significant security challenges. His record in Lagos, Rivers State, the Federal Capital Territory, and international peacekeeping, together with his academic and sporting accomplishments, provides a substantial foundation for the responsibilities of national police leadership.
FAQs
Who is Olatunji Disu?
Olatunji Rilwan Disu is a Nigerian police officer who has served as the 23rd Inspector General of Police of Nigeria since February 2026. He is widely known as Tunji Disu and has more than three decades of service in the Nigeria Police Force.
Where was Olatunji Disu born?
He was born in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. Lagos Island is a historic commercial and administrative centre within Lagos State.
What is Olatunji Disu’s educational background?
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Lagos State University, a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the same university, a Master in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, and a Master in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University. He has also completed numerous professional courses in Nigeria and abroad.
When did Olatunji Disu join the Nigeria Police Force?
He enlisted on 18 May 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and trained at the Nigeria Police Academy.
What major positions has Olatunji Disu held?
Key roles include Divisional Police Officer in several states, commander of Special Anti Robbery Squad units, contingent commander on the African Union Mission in Sudan, Commander of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad, head of the Intelligence Response Team, Commissioner of Police for Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos. He was appointed Inspector General of Police in 2026.
Does Olatunji Disu have achievements outside policing?
Yes. He is a third dan black belt in judo and has won medals at national sports festivals, police games, and the United States Open Judo Championship. He has also held leadership positions in state and police judo associations.
What awards has Olatunji Disu received?
Notable awards include recognition as Most Outstanding Police Operational Officer in West Africa, Most Outstanding Anti Crime Police Chief in West and Central Africa, and Man of the Year by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria. Units under his command have also received regional awards for anti crime and urban policing excellence.