Manny Ita
The Police Service Commission (PSC), in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, has announced a two-week extension for the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables, shifting the closing date from January 25 to February 8, 2026. This decision follows the submission of over 400,000 applications since the portal opened in mid-December, though officials noted a concerning imbalance in the geographic distribution of candidates. PSC Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Njoku Kalu, stated that the extension is intended to provide “equitable representation” across the federation, as several states in the South-West, South-East, and South-South have recorded significantly lower turnout compared to Northern states like Adamawa, Benue, and Kaduna.
Specific concerns were raised regarding low participation in Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Anambra, prompting the commission to call upon state governments and community leaders to mobilize eligible youths. “The commission is determined to ensure that every local government area is adequately represented in this intake to reflect the federal character of the nation,” Kalu remarked, emphasizing that the recruitment remains a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to bolster internal security. To manage the anticipated influx of 50,000 new personnel, the Presidency has already authorized the use of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps as temporary training centers to supplement existing police colleges. Eligible Nigerians are advised to complete their registrations on the official portal, www.npfapplication.psc.gov.ng, before the new February deadline.
