The Police Service Commission has announced that 434,604 candidates will proceed to the next phase of the ongoing police recruitment exercise, with physical screening scheduled to begin on the 9th of March, 2026.
At a media briefing held Wednesday, the 25th of February, 2026, at the PSC Headquarters in Abuja, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), who chairs the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, disclosed that the commission received a total of 616,873 applications.
Out of that number, 434,604 applicants met the requirements for physical screening.
Lakanu explained that 121,596 applicants did not meet the set criteria, while 60,673 entries were classified as invalid submissions. He further broke down the gender distribution, noting that 442,592 applications came from male candidates, while 114,640 were submitted by female applicants.
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According to him, the recruitment drive forms part of broader measures aimed at strengthening internal security and tackling growing crime challenges nationwide. He described the process as “transparent, merit-driven, inclusive, and credible.”
Lakanu said the turnout reflects sustained interest among young Nigerians in joining the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as a respected path of public service.
“Injection of manpower will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Force and reinforce the nation’s security architecture,” he stated.