The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Police Matters at the Police Service Commission, DIG (Dr) Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), has assured Nigerians that the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force is transparent, merit-driven and inclusive.
Lakanu gave the assurance during a press conference held at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, PSC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 50,000 additional personnel into the Nigeria Police Force, describing the directive as a bold step towards strengthening internal security and enhancing the operational capacity of the Force.
According to him, the application portal, which opened on 15 December 2025, closed on 8 February 2026 after an eight-week window.
He disclosed that a total of 616,873 applications were received, comprising 348,974 general duty applicants and 85,630 specialist applicants.
Of the total submissions, 434,604 applicants were qualified for further screening, while 121,596 were unqualified and 60,673 entries were invalid.
In terms of gender distribution, Lakanu said 442,592 male and 114,640 female applicants applied, noting that the figures reflect sustained interest among Nigerian youths in policing as a career.
Addressing disparities in state participation, he revealed that the Commission observed wide variations in application numbers across states at the early stages of the exercise.
Following consultations with the Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders, the Commission approved a two-week extension to allow states with low turnout to intensify mobilisation efforts.
He said the intervention produced positive results.
A state-by-state breakdown showed that Adamawa recorded the highest number of applications with 38,989, followed by Benue (34,511), Kaduna (30,397) and Borno (24,009).
States with the lowest figures included Ebonyi (1,667), Anambra (1,739), Bayelsa (2,430) and Lagos (2,448).
Lakanu reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the principle of Federal Character, describing it as sacrosanct.
He announced that the next phase physical screening and verification of credentials will commence on 9 March 2026 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Applicants, he said, would be notified through official and verified channels.
Successful candidates at the screening stage will proceed to computer-based examinations, medical assessments and comprehensive drug integrity tests in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
“Drug users and persons of questionable character will not find their way into the Nigeria Police Force,” Lakanu stated, stressing that only candidates of sound health, good character and proven integrity would be admitted.
He added that successful recruits would be posted to designated Police Colleges for training before deployment to commands and formations nationwide.
The PSC Chairman emphasised that the credibility of the Police Force begins with recruitment, warning that compromised entry standards would undermine efforts to build a professional and world-class institution.
To enhance transparency, he disclosed that the Commission has introduced a whistle-blowing policy on police recruitment to enable Nigerians report suspected irregularities.
All reports, he assured, would be treated confidentially and investigated thoroughly.
Lakanu also highlighted collaboration with the Federal Character Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs, Guidance and Counselling Departments of state governments, the Police Community Relations Committee, civil society organisations and the NDLEA to ensure inclusiveness and oversight.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to deliver a fair and credible recruitment process capable of producing a Police Force that meets the aspirations of Nigerians.
“Building the Nigeria Police Force of our collective aspiration is a national responsibility,” he said, calling for continued cooperation from citizens, the media and stakeholders within the security sector.
