By Divine Ihechimerem
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the names of 10,000 successful candidates selected for recruitment into the constable and specialist cadres of the Nigeria Police Force.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement on Tuesday, emphasized that the recruitment process was conducted with oversight from key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission, ensuring fairness and justice.
Ani stated, “The Police Service Commission has approved and released the list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force. The commission received the report of the Police Recruitment Board today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. 9,000 applicants were approved for General Duty, while 1,000 were recruited for the Specialists cadre.”
He further highlighted that the selection process ensured an equitable distribution of candidates across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The PSC had earlier established a Recruitment Board, consisting of representatives from the PSC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges, and the Police Trust Fund, to oversee the recruitment and report back to the PSC.
Applicants had six weeks, from October 15, 2023, to November 26, 2023, to submit online applications in accordance with Federal Character requirements. The PSC received 609,886 applications, with 416,323 applicants meeting the advertised criteria and advancing to the second stage, which involved physical and document screening conducted across all states and the Federal Capital Territory from January 8 to January 29, 2024.
Following the physical and credentials screening, 171,956 applicants qualified for the Computer-based Tests (CBT) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Ani noted that 15,447 general duty applicants who excelled in the CBT were invited for medical screening, along with 55,645 specialists who underwent practical tests and medical screenings.
Ultimately, 10,000 applicants—comprising 9,000 General Duty and 1,000 Specialists—were recommended for final selection. The selection of specialists was coordinated with the Nigeria Police Force, considering the need for balanced geographical representation.
PSC Chairman Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, emphasized that the rigorous recruitment process was designed to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s capacity and effectiveness, reinforcing its commitment to community-oriented and service-driven policing.
Arase stated, “These young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency, and excellence.”
He added that the final selection process aimed to build a competent, reliable, and representative Police Force, with 10 candidates chosen from each of the 774 local government areas, as advised by the National Assembly’s decision on February 29, 2024.
To maintain confidentiality and comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023, the PSC will present the list of successful candidates in a secure manner, ensuring the protection of their personal data.
Candidates can check their application status on the Police Service Commission’s dedicated web page at www.policeservicecommission.cloud.