The Federal Government has announced plans to recruit more than 94,000 new personnel into Nigeria’s security services as part of efforts to confront escalating insecurity nationwide.
The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), will recruit 50,000 constables.
It was said that the recruitment portal is scheduled to open to eligible Nigerians from 15 December 2025 to 25 January 2026, the PSC confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
“The PSC, in collaboration with the NPF, is pleased to announce the commencement of recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force, as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” said Torty Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs.
Applicants for the general duty cadre must hold at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in no more than two sittings.
Also, specialist cadre applicants require a minimum of four credits plus relevant experience and trade test certification, adding that all applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth.
An off-the-record source from the Nigerian Army indicated that the military may recruit around 14,000 new soldiers following the President’s directive, while the Navy and Air Force are expected to increase their intakes, although exact figures were not disclosed.
The recruitment comes months after President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on 26 November 2025, directing the Police and Armed Forces to bolster personnel to confront growing threats.
In June, the Ministry of Interior announced a separate nationwide recruitment of 30,000 personnel across paramilitary agencies.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the recruitment as timely, saying the urgent need for more personnel to relieve overtaxed security forces.
During a meeting with Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) in Abuja, Mutfwang pledged his government’s full support for national security efforts and reiterated his long-standing backing for the establishment of state police.
Mutfwang said the country must aim not only to meet the UN benchmark of one police officer per 500 citizens but also to ensure every village with over 100 residents has at least one officer.
Security experts welcomed the announcement but cautioned that numbers alone would not guarantee improved safety.
Brig Gen Peter Aro (retd.) said, “The Federal Government’s plan is a welcome signal. But the key is thorough vetting, proper training, and modern equipment. Without these, we risk perpetuating existing problems.”
Similarly, Brig Gen Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) stressed the need for rigorous recruitment to ensure committed personnel rather than political appointees join the forces.
Other stakeholders echoed the call for transparency, including Adebanjo Ebhoade, Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Zone, who warned against using the recruitment to settle political favours.
Oyo State Community Policing Advisory Committee member, Segun Ebenezer urged merit-based selection and comprehensive training.
Ondo State Attorney-General Kayode Ajulo (SAN) said the current centralised policing model is inadequate for addressing diverse regional security challenges and argued for state police to supplement national efforts.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo called on the Nigerian Army to intensify operations in the state, promising support for improved security infrastructure, including roads and drones, during a meeting with the new 4 Brigade Commander, Gen Ahmed Balogun.
In Oyo State, NBA Ibadan Chairman Ibrahim Lawal urged Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently overhaul the state’s security framework following recent high-profile kidnappings, warning that the situation poses a direct threat to public safety.
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