The Federal Government has launched one of Nigeria’s largest security recruitment drives in recent history, seeking to inject more than 94,000 new personnel into the nation’s overstretched security architecture amid rising insecurity.
The move follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025, an order that directed the Police, Armed Forces, and paramilitary agencies to urgently expand their manpower.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will lead the push with the recruitment of 50,000 constables.
A statement on Thursday by the PSC Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Kalu, confirmed that the recruitment portal will be open from December 15, 2025, to January 25, 2026.
“The PSC, in collaboration with the NPF, announces the commencement of recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force, as directed by President Bola Tinubu,” the statement said.
Applicants for General Duty must possess at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, obtained in no more than two sittings.
Specialist applicants require four credits and at least three years of relevant experience. All applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth.
A senior Army officer told our correspondent that the military is preparing to recruit about 14,000 soldiers in line with the President’s directive.
The Navy and Air Force have also begun internal processes to expand their intakes, although official numbers were not disclosed.
This is in addition to the Ministry of Interior’s earlier announcement of 30,000 recruits across the paramilitary services, an exercise now being fast-tracked.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the massive recruitment as “timely and desperately needed,” saying Nigeria’s security agencies had become overstretched.
During a visit to Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), he insisted that Nigeria needs not only more manpower but better deployment strategies.
Mutfwang reiterated his support for state police, arguing that local threats require local solutions.
“Even a village of 100 people should have at least one policeman. To achieve that, Nigeria needs one million officers or more,” he said.
Security experts also praised the initiative but warned that poorly vetted recruitment could worsen existing problems.
Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro said the recruitment was “a necessary start” but argued that “numbers alone do not guarantee security.”
“If we pour quantity into a structure already battling corruption and poor discipline, we will only multiply the old problems,” he said, stressing the need for rigorous vetting, modern training and clear doctrine.
Retired Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi echoed the warning, urging the government to shut out political interference.
“Employ those who are committed, not politically selected,” he said.
Legal experts also raised red flags.
Chairman of the NBA Benin Zone, Adebanjo Ebhoade, warned: “Politicians must not be allowed to use this recruitment to settle IOUs. Only merit must prevail.”
Segun Ebenezer of the Oyo State Community Policing Advisory Committee said massive recruitment often attracts nepotism.
“The process must be transparent and training must be thorough,” he cautioned.
Ondo State Attorney-General, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), said Nigeria’s centralised policing model had outlived its usefulness.
He argued that regional security challenges vary too widely to be addressed by a single national structure.
He said, “President Tinubu’s call for reviewing state police laws is overdue. A nation in distress requires pragmatic solutions.”
In Edo, Governor Monday Okpebholo charged the new Commander of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Gen. Ahmed Balogun, to “help free Edo from insecurity,” promising full state cooperation.
He said the state is procuring multifunctional drones as part of its security upgrade.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NBA Ibadan Branch, Ibrahim Lawal, urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently rebuild the state’s weakened security architecture.
Lawal said, “Oyo used to be the most secure state in Nigeria”, warning that recent kidnappings suggest “nobody is safe.”
While the recruitment of more than 94,000 security personnel marks a bold step toward tackling insecurity, experts insist that transparency, modern training and strict vetting will determine whether the initiative strengthens Nigeria’s security—or deepens its vulnerabilities.
Source: Punch
