The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the start of recruitment for 50,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), following a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The online recruitment portal will open on 15 December 2025 and close on 25 January 2026, with applications submitted free of charge.

Officials say the exercise is designed to boost police manpower, strengthen community policing, and improve internal security across the country.

Why this recruitment matters

Nigeria has one of the lowest police-to-citizen ratios in Africa, according to security analysts.

With rising concerns over insecurity, banditry and urban crime, authorities say expanding the police workforce is critical to restoring public confidence and improving response times.

The PSC said the recruitment aligns with the President’s broader security reform agenda.

What the PSC and Police are saying

Announcing the recruitment, the Police Service Commission said the process would be transparent and merit-driven.

“The recruitment exercise will be conducted in the most transparent, merit-based and credible manner,” the Commission said.

It warned applicants not to pay money to individuals claiming to influence the process.

“Application is FREE as there will be NO PAYMENT required at any stage of the process, and applicants are warned to be wary of fraudsters,” the PSC added.

Who can apply

For the General Duty cadre, applicants must have at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings.

For the Specialist cadre, applicants must have four credits, including English and Mathematics, alongside a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience and trade certification.

Eligible applicants must also:

Be Nigerian citizens by birth

Be aged 18–25 years (General Duty) or 18–28 years (Specialists)

Be medically, physically and psychologically fit

Meet height and other requirements listed on the portal

How to apply

All applications must be submitted online through the official portal:

www.npfapplication.psc.gov.ng

The portal becomes active on 15 December 2025, with guidelines published on the PSC and NPF websites and social media pages.

What happens next

After applications close in January, shortlisted candidates will undergo screening, physical assessment and training before deployment.

The PSC urged qualified Nigerians to apply and contribute to national security.

“The Commission urges all qualified and patriotic Nigerians to seize this opportunity to serve the nation,” the statement said.

Retirees hail governor for restoring hope and dignity of pensioners.

Hundreds of retirees in Ondo State have received long-awaited gratuity payments as Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa disbursed ₦2.396 billion to clear arrears owed to 2016 and 2017 retirees.

The bulk payment, announced at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure, marks another step in Aiyedatiwa’s pledge to settle inherited pension and gratuity debts in full.

Why it matters

For years, pensioners in Ondo State have faced uncertainty over unpaid entitlements dating back to previous administrations. The latest disbursement comes just a week after ₦1.4 billion was paid to local government and primary school retirees, raising hopes that all outstanding benefits will soon be cleared.

“This is a culmination of our administration’s sincerity of purpose and unwavering resolve to honour men and women who gave their strength, intellect and years of service to the development of Ondo State,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said during the ceremony.

He explained that his government’s decision to adopt the “year of exit” method for gratuity qualification was aimed at ensuring fairness and eliminating bias.

Governor’s remarks

Reaffirming his commitment to retirees’ welfare, Aiyedatiwa said:

“We are resolutely committed to clearing all backlog of gratuity obligations. Our retirees deserve empathy, honour, and respect. This is not an act of favour; it is a moral and constitutional duty we hold dear.”

Since assuming office, the governor said his administration had been releasing ₦180 million monthly to reduce gratuity arrears, while ensuring prompt pension payments at both state and local levels.

Other welfare initiatives include ₦2.236 billion paid to 2015 retirees, ₦30,000 monthly fuel subsidy support for pensioners, and investments in digital infrastructure, solar-powered streetlights, and road projects across the state.

Reactions from pension administrators

The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Pension Transitional Department, Mrs Bunmi Alade, praised the governor’s “unprecedented consistency” in handling retirees’ welfare.

“This ₦2.396 billion release marks the first time in the state’s history that two full years of gratuity arrears are cleared at once,” she said, commending the administration for “restoring confidence among retirees.”

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Ondo State chapter, Comrade Johnson Osuyemi, also lauded the initiative, describing Aiyedatiwa as a “leader who walks his talk.”

“Our members have endured years of uncertainty and hardship, but this administration has restored their dignity,” Osuyemi said. “Many pensioners who were once hopeless now feel valued again.”

Beyond gratuity payments

Governor Aiyedatiwa urged all retirees to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, emphasizing the need for accessible healthcare.

“Health is the foundation of happiness and longevity,” he said. “We want our senior citizens to live not just well, but long.”

He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including a six-kilometre road linking Scab Filling Station to Imafon, and the establishment of the State Senior Secondary Education Board, as examples of balanced development alongside welfare reforms.

The bigger picture

Experts say the move could strengthen public trust in government transparency and fiscal responsibility, particularly as states across Nigeria grapple with pension arrears.

Labour unions and civic groups have long pressured subnational governments to prioritize pension payments, viewing them as a moral obligation to public service contributors.

The Federal Government has officially postponed the commencement of recruitment into paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior from June 26 to July 14, 2025.

This update was made public on Wednesday through a statement released by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

According to the statement, the recruitment portal which was initially scheduled to open on Thursday, June 26, will now become accessible on Monday, July 14, 2025.

“The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), wishes to notify the general public that its recruitment portal which was earlier slated to open on Thursday 26th June, 2025, will now open on Monday 14th July, 2025,” the Board stated.

The CDCFIB also confirmed the official recruitment portal address for all applications: recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng. Applicants were advised to take note and use only the designated website.

“The Board’s portal address for prospective applicants desiring to apply into the Service of their choice is now: recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng,” the statement added.

The Board emphasised that all applications are free of charge, cautioning applicants against paying anyone or falling victim to scams.

“Applicants are kindly requested to take note of the above changes as well as be reminded that all applications are free and do not attract any payment,” it warned.

While apologising for any inconvenience caused by the delay, the CDCFIB reiterated its dedication to a transparent and fair recruitment process.

Earlier this week, the Board had announced that the recruitment exercise covers positions in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare and apply within the newly announced timeline, while staying alert to fraudulent recruitment agents