Police recruitment: Adamawa leads with 39,989 applicants, Anambra lowest

By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja – The Police Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that Adamawa State recorded the highest number of applicants for the ongoing police recruitment exercise, with 39,989 submissions, while Anambra State posted the lowest with 1,739 applications.

The commission disclosed on Wednesday that a total of 616,873 applications were received nationwide. Of these, 434,604 candidates were deemed qualified for further screening, 121,596 were unqualified, and 60,673 submissions were invalid.

Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, provided a state-by-state breakdown. Adamawa led with 38,989 applications, followed by Benue (34,511), Kaduna (30,397), and Borno (24,009).

Conversely, states with the lowest participation included Ebonyi (1,667), Anambra (1,739), Bayelsa (2,430), and Lagos (2,448). Lakanu attributed low turnout in some states to limited sensitization at the early stage of the exercise and said a two-week extension helped improve participation.

On gender distribution, the PSC reported 442,592 male and 114,640 female applicants. The exercise attracted candidates in two categories: General Duty (348,974) and Specialist (85,630).

“The high number of applications reflects the confidence of Nigerian youths in the police as a career of honour and service,” Lakanu said.

The next phase of the recruitment—physical screening and credential verification—is scheduled to commence on March 9, 2026. The commission, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), will conduct drug integrity tests to ensure that only candidates of sound health and proven integrity are admitted.

Lakanu also revealed the introduction of a whistle-blowing policy to allow Nigerians report suspected irregularities, assuring that all reports will be treated confidentially and thoroughly investigated.

He reiterated the PSC’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based, and inclusive recruitment process in line with the federal character principle.

The recruitment portal, which opened on December 15, 2025, was initially scheduled to close on January 25, 2026, but was extended to February 8, 2026. The 434,604 qualified applicants will now compete for 50,000 available slots in the Nigeria Police Force.

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