616,873 Apply as Screening Begins March 9 for 50,000 Police Jobs

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David Oladimeji

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced that no fewer than 616,873 Nigerians applied for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), as the Commission moves to the next phase of the exercise with physical screening scheduled to commence nationwide on March 9, 2026.
Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, DIG (Dr) Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, PSC Headquarters, Jabi.
Lakanu said the recruitment, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at injecting 50,000 additional personnel into the Force to strengthen internal security and bolster the nation’s security architecture.
According to him, the online application portal, which opened on December 15, 2025, and closed on February 8, 2026, recorded a total of 616,873 applications across the country after an eight-week window.
A breakdown of the applications shows that 348,974 candidates applied for General Duty positions, while 85,630 sought specialist roles. Of the total applications, 434,604 applicants qualified for further screening, 121,596 were deemed unqualified, and 60,673 submissions were invalid.
On gender distribution, Lakanu revealed that 442,592 male applicants and 114,640 female applicants completed valid submissions, describing the figures as a demonstration of sustained youth confidence in policing as a career path.
He, however, expressed concern over disparities in state participation, noting that while some states recorded impressive numbers, others lagged significantly behind in the early phase of the exercise.
To address the imbalance, the PSC, in consultation with the NPF and other stakeholders, approved a two-week extension to enable states with low turnout to intensify sensitisation and mobilization efforts.
The intervention, he said, yielded positive results, leading to improved participation in several previously underrepresented states.
State-by-state analysis shows that Adamawa led with 38,989 applications, followed by Benue with 34,511, Kaduna with 30,397, and Borno with 24,009.
At the lower end of the spectrum were Ebonyi with 1,667 applications, Anambra with 1,739, Bayelsa with 2,430, and Lagos with 2,448.
Lakanu said that despite variations in state figures, the Commission remains committed to the Federal Character principle to ensure equitable representation across the federation.
He announced that the next stage — physical screening and credentials verification — will be conducted in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with applicants to be notified through official and verified channels.
Successful candidates at the screening stage will proceed to Computer-Based Tests, medical examinations, and comprehensive drug integrity tests to be conducted in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Lakanu stressed that individuals with drug-related issues or questionable character would be disqualified, adding that integrity remains central to building a professional and world-class police institution.
He further disclosed that the PSC has introduced a whistle-blowing policy to allow members of the public to report suspected irregularities in the recruitment process, assuring that all reports would be treated confidentially and investigated diligently.
The PSC chairman also commended the Federal Character Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs, civil society groups, state guidance and counselling departments, and other partners for their collaboration in ensuring transparency and inclusiveness.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, noting that the credibility of the Nigeria Police Force begins at the point of entry.
Lakanu concluded by calling on citizens, the media, and stakeholders to support the process, assuring Nigerians that the Commission remains determined to deliver a fair, merit-based, and transparent recruitment exercise capable of producing the police force the country deserves.