How to join the Nigerian Police Force: Requirements, salary & more

The Nigeria Police Force is the topmost law enforcement organization in Nigeria. Created as a result of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it safeguards the citizens of the country while they all go about their everyday lives. In this post, you will learn how to join the Nigerian Police Force.

What is the Nigerian Police Force, and what does it do?

The Nigeria Police is the topmost law enforcement organization in Nigeria. It was formed to enforce Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While we all go about our everyday lives, the Nigerian Police Force protects us from known and unknown threats. They do this every day and sometimes risk and lose their lives in the process.

According to Section 4 of the Police Acts and Regulations, the functions of the Nigeria Police Force include, but are not limited to:

1. Implementing the laws and regulations within their jurisdiction
2. Securing and protecting lives and properties
3. Detecting and stopping crime
4. Stopping and arresting offenders
5. Maintaining law and order throughout the country

Ranks in the Nigeria Police Force

1. Inspector General
2. Deputy Inspector-General of Police
3. Assistant Inspector-General of Police
4. Commissioner of Police
5. Deputy Commissioner of Police
6. Assistant Commissioner of Police
7. Chief Superintendent of Police
8. Superintendent of Police
9. Deputy Superintendent of Police
10. Assistant Superintendent of Police
11. Inspector of Police
12. Sergeant Major
13. Sergeant
14. Corporal
15. Constable

How to join the Nigerian Police Force as a recruit

If you want to become a police officer in Nigeria without attending a university, polytechnic or enrolling in the Nigerian Police Academy, then you can apply to be a recruit.

Note that joining as a recruit means lower rank, which in turn also means a low starting salary. It may also affect your promotions, as they won’t be as fast as that of your colleagues that enrolled in the Police Academy or graduated from higher institutions.

Requirements to join the Nigerian Police Force as a recruit

You must

1. Be a Nigerian citizen by birth and have your National Identification Number (NIN)
2. Be within 18 to 25 years of age
3. Have obtained an O’ Level certificate that has at least five credits passes in Mathematics and English Language in not more than two sittings in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB
4. Have a good character and must not have been convicted of any criminal offence
5. Have a minimum height of 1.67 metres in height for men and 1.64 metres for women
6. Have at least 86 cm (34 inches) expanded chest measurement (for men only)
7. Not have any one of the following abnormalities or deformities: Speech Impediment, Knock Knees, Bow Legs, Bent Knees, Flat Feet, Deformed Hands which cannot perform the full functions of the hand, Tattoos, Bodily Scars, Defective Eyesight or Squint Eyes, Amputation of any part of the body, Gross Malformation of teeth, Protruding Navel
8. Not be pregnant whenever you’re applying it undergoing training

Note that all applicants will undergo medical examination before being selected.

Application to join the Nigerian Police Force as a recruit

Unlike other law enforcement organizations that take in recruits every year, the Nigerian Police Force only recruits whenever there’s a need for extra staff, and there’s usually a target number (for example 10,000 new police officers).

For the next 5 years, the office of the President has allowed the recruitment of 50,000 police officers into the Nigerian Police Force. It will take place every year while recruiting 10,000 each time. 

Once the target is reached per year, the application window will be closed. You will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s on. To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit www.policerecruitment.gov.ng and follow the prompts.

How to join the Nigerian Police Force as a graduate

You can also join the Nigerian Police Force as a university or polytechnic graduate. You will be applying through the Cadet ASP Program which will run for 9 to 12 months. At the end of the training program, you will become a police officer and receive your badge.

Requirements to join the Nigerian Police Force as a graduate

You must

1. Be a Nigerian Citizen by birth
2. Be a university or polytechnic graduate
3. Be between 20 and 28 years
4. Have a minimum of 5 credits in O’ Level Examinations SSCE (WAEC, GCE, NABTEB, NECO) in not more than 2 sittings, and at least, Credit in English and Mathematics
5. Be psychologically, physically, & mentally and medically fit
6. Not have any Criminal record
7. Have an expanded chest measurement of at least 86cm (for males)
8. Not be pregnant during the application and training program
9. Be taller than 1.67m tall (for males) and 1.64m tall (for females)

Application to join the Nigerian Police Force as a graduate

You will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s on. To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit www.policerecruitment.gov.ng and follow the prompts.

You can also visit the homepage of the Nigerian Police Force website and check if there’s any notice about an open application into the organization.

How to join the Nigerian Police Force through the Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC)

In this case, you won’t need a bachelor’s degree or HND before you can join the Nigerian Police Force. All you need is your SSCE certificate and you’re good to apply to the Nigerian Police Academy.

You will spend 5 years in the academy while undergoing extensive academic and police training. After your graduation, you will become a police officer and start at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

Requirements to join the Nigerian Police Force through the Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC)

You must:

1. Be a citizen of Nigeria
2. Be between 17 and 22 years of age
3. Have a height not less than 1.67 Metres (for males), and 1.62 Metres (for females)
4. Have a minimum expanded chest size of 86 cm (34 Inches) if you’re a male
5. Be free from any physical or mental disability
6. Your SSCE certificate must have at least 5 credits and not more than 2 sittings

Application to join the Nigerian Police Force through the Nigerian Police Academy (POLAC)

You will be informed by radio, TV, newspapers and the internet whenever it’s on. To apply for it whenever the application is open, visit the official Police Academy’s website. Generate your Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) Code and follow the prompts.

Note:

• You must meet the cutoff for your course before you can be selected
• The selected applicants will be invited for an interview
• Successful applicants will be published on the Police Academy’s official website and in some national newspapers

How much is the salary of Nigerian police? Police ranks and salary in Nigeria

1. Inspector General of Police: ₦711,450.00
2. Deputy Inspector General of Police: ₦546,572.80
3. Assistant Inspector General of Police: ₦499,751.90
4. Commissioner of Police: ₦302,970.50
5. Deputy Commissioner of Police: ₦278,852.80
6. Assistant Commissioner of Police: ₦212,938.20
7. Chief Superintendent of Police: ₦199,723.96
8. Superintendent of Police: ₦172,089.06
9. Deputy Superintendent of Police: ₦170,399.70
10. Assistant Superintendent of Police: ₦156,318.39
11. Inspector of Police: ₦87,135.10
12. Sergeant Major: ₦62,204.88
13. Sergeant: ₦55,973.90
14. Corporal: ₦51,113.60
15. Constable: ₦51,113.60