By Evelyn Usman
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, yesterday, urged serving police officers to begin preparing early for life after retirement, declaring that retirement should not be viewed as the end of relevance but the beginning of another phase of productive service to society.
The IGP made the declaration virtually at the Gallant Officers Recognition and Welfare Initiative 2026, organised by Naija Police & U, themed, “Life After Police: Building Purpose, Welfare and Opportunities Beyond Service.” He said every officer must deliberately plan for life after active service through financial discipline, skills acquisition, education and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on “Building a Professional Police Force and Preparing Officers for Life Beyond Service,” Disu said: “Retirement should never be perceived as the end of usefulness or relevance. Rather, it should mark the beginning of another purposeful phase of life, one in which retired officers continue to contribute their knowledge, leadership and experience to their communities, businesses, educational institutions and national development.”
Commending the organisers for drawing attention to the welfare of police officers beyond active service, he described the initiative as timely and significant.
He said : “Every day, officers of the Nigeria Police Force willingly place themselves in harm’s way to safeguard lives and property, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law and protect the constitutional rights of all Nigerians. It is therefore only fitting that we remain committed to ensuring that they transition into retirement with dignity, purpose and hope.
“Every police officer should deliberately prepare for the future by developing new skills, pursuing further education, embracing entrepreneurship where appropriate, making prudent financial decisions and investing in lifelong learning. A successful retirement is not achieved by chance; it is the product of careful planning, discipline and informed decision-making throughout one’s career,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to officers’ welfare, Disu described welfare as a strategic imperative, saying the Force would continue to strengthen reforms aimed at improving healthcare, psychological support, professional development and retirement preparedness.
The IGP also called on the private sector, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations and development partners to complement government efforts in supporting retired police officers, noting that responsibility for their welfare should not rest on government alone.
He further urged serving officers to build careers founded on professionalism, accountability, integrity and respect for human rights, noting that :”The greatest legacy of a police officer is not merely the number of years served or the rank attained, but the lives touched, the trust earned, the integrity maintained and the example set for others to follow,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to retired officers for their years of sacrifice and service, describing their experience as “an invaluable national asset,” and encouraged them to remain active as mentors, community leaders and ambassadors of the ideals of policing.
In her presentation titled, “Transitioning from Active Service to Retirement,” Chairperson of Transworld Security Limited, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu, identified financial, psychological, health and family adjustment as the four major challenges confronting many retired police officers. She noted that while retirement brings an end to regular salaries, expenses continue, making financial planning imperative. She also warned that many officers struggle with the loss of identity after leaving the uniform, stressing that their worth should not be defined by rank.
“Your value is not in your rank. Your value is in your experience, wisdom and character. The nation still needs your knowledge,” she said, urging officers to prioritise their health and strengthen family relationships long before retirement.
To overcome these challenges, Ekhomu advised officers to cultivate financial discipline by spending less than they earn, saving consistently and investing wisely while avoiding fraudulent investment schemes. She also encouraged them to acquire new skills, build strong professional networks and prepare for second careers in security consulting, investigations, cyber security, agriculture, teaching, project management and entrepreneurship.
“Learning should never stop. Retirement should not mean inactivity,” she said, adding that many retired officers had become successful consultants, business owners, lecturers and community leaders because they planned ahead.
In his keynote presentation, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, who was represented by retired Chief Superintendent of Police Kehinde Oni, urged serving officers to prepare for the economic realities of retirement through prudent financial planning, warning that many retirees lose their pension and gratuity to fraudulent investment schemes.
“Many officers retire without a clear plan for how to manage their pension, gratuity or savings. Some fall into the hands of people who promise quick returns and end up losing everything. It is important to seek proper financial advice, invest only in what you understand and avoid pressure from friends or relatives who may not have your best interests at heart,” he admonished.
Alabi also encouraged retiring officers to take advantage of opportunities in Nigeria’s growing private security industry, noting that their years of policing experience placed them in a strong position to establish security consultancies, private investigative outfits and detective schools.
He pointed out that the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, provides a legal framework for retired officers to venture into such businesses.
“The country’s growing demand for private security services, safety training, intelligence support and risk assessment creates opportunities that retired officers are uniquely qualified to fill. This is not just a business opportunity; it is a continuation of service to the nation through a new and independent platform,” he added.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Project Coordinator of the Gallant Officers Recognition and Welfare Initiative 2026, Mrs. Chioma Okezie, said the programme was conceived not only to recognise the courage, sacrifice and professionalism of serving police officers but also to promote their welfare and prepare them for fulfilling lives after retirement.
According to her, the initiative was founded on the belief that officers who dedicate their lives to protecting others deserve appreciation while in service and continued support after leaving the Force.
“While we celebrate officers during active service, we must also ensure that life after retirement is marked by dignity, purpose, security and opportunity,” she said, describing the event as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaborative action on police welfare.
The late former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase, and the late security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, were posthumously honoured for their contributions to policing and security.
This year’s edition focused on the welfare of retired police officers, with beneficiaries receiving cash support in addition to plaques. Awards presented included the Bravery Award, Distinguished Service Award, Community Impact Award, Gallant Officers Recognition Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Among the beneficiaries, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the federation, were retired officers who had undergone leg amputations, some who are bedridden, while others had retired into farming.
Vanguard Deputy Crime Editor, Evelyn Usman, was the only journalist singled out for honour at the event, receiving the Excellence in Crime Reporting Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to crime journalism.
