PSC, NPF Launch Joint Committee for 30,000 Police Recruitment

The Police Service Commission (PSC) and Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have inaugurated a joint Ad-hoc Committee to immediately commence the recruitment of 30,000 new police officers, a critical step following the presidential directive to bolster Nigeria’s police strength and improve national security. The committee, inaugurated on November 26, 2025, at the PSC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, was officiated by PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) and aims to ensure a transparent, efficient, and merit-based recruitment process. This collaboration highlights the commitment of both agencies to a seamless exercise that upholds integrity and professionalism ​​.

Representing the PSC Chairman, DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), fdc, emphasized the essential nature of this partnership, reiterating the Commission’s dedication to fairness and adherence to established recruitment guidelines. The Nigerian Police Force was represented by CP Edwin Eloho, who stressed the recruitment’s importance in augmenting the force’s capacity to protect lives and property effectively. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader efforts to address security challenges and strengthen the police-to-citizen ratio nationwide ​​.

Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent security emergency declaration, the planned recruitment was expanded, authorizing an additional 20,000 officers to bring the total recruitment number to 50,000 across the police and armed forces. The president also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training facilities to accelerate the induction process of the new recruits. This measure reflects the government’s heightened focus on urgent security enhancement and operational readiness of law enforcement personnel ​.

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The recruitment process involves multiple stages to ensure thorough vetting and selection of qualified candidates. These include application screening, physical and medical assessments, computer-based testing on general knowledge and ethics, interviews, and background checks. The PSC is also navigating challenges in accessing national identity data for applicant verification, aiming to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency during the recruitment exercise ​.

The Police Service Commission, which manages appointments, promotions, and disciplinary control within the Nigeria Police Force (excluding the Inspector-General of Police), continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s law enforcement by ensuring that new personnel meet stringent qualification and integrity criteria. The Nigeria Police Force, tasked with crime prevention, public safety, and order maintenance, stands to benefit significantly from this expansion in manpower, improving its overall efficiency and community presence ​.