Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment
More than 616,873 Nigerians have submitted applications for the ongoing recruitment drive into the Nigeria Police Force, with Adamawa State leading as the most-represented state in the nationwide exercise, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has said. 
Addressing reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), presented a state-by-state breakdown of submissions, revealing that Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment — significantly ahead of other states. 
The massive number of applicants marks one of the most ambitious recruitment efforts in recent years for the Nigeria Police Force, which is recruiting 50,000 new constables in this cycle. 
What the numbers say
According to the PSC, a total of 616,873 applications were received by the closing date of the recruitment portal, which was extended from January 25 to February 8, 2026, to allow broader participation. 
Of these:
• 434,604 candidates have been cleared for further screening.
• 121,596 applications were judged unqualified.
• 60,673 submissions were flagged as invalid. 
The gender distribution also highlights a strong male majority, with 442,592 male applicants and 114,640 female applicants across the federation. 
Reflecting on the turnout, DIG Lakanu said the sheer number points to growing confidence among Nigerian youths in a career with the police. “These numbers show that the Nigeria Police Force remains a career of honour and pride for many young Nigerians,” he said. 
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Adamawa takes the lead
Despite stiff competition from larger states, Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment with the highest single-state turnout of 38,989 applicants. 
Adamawa was followed by:
• Benue State – 34,511 applicants
• Kaduna State – 30,397 applicants
• Borno State – 24,009 applicants 
In contrast, some states recorded comparatively low participation. For example, Ebonyi State reported only 1,667 applications, Anambra State 1,739, Bayelsa 2,430, and Lagos State 2,448. 
This geographical spread shows how varied the interest in police service is across the country, and why PSC extended the application window to ensure a more even representation. 
Next steps in the recruitment process
Applicants who qualified — the 434,604 candidates — will now progress to the next stage of the exercise. Physical screening and verification of credentials are slated to begin on March 9, 2026 across designated centres. 
Part of the screening will involve comprehensive drug integrity tests in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), aimed at ensuring only applicants of sound health and character move forward. 
“Drug users and persons of questionable character will not find their way into the Nigeria Police Force,” Lakanu emphasised, stressing the Commission’s commitment to a merit-based and transparent process. 
Upon successful completion of screening, selected candidates will be posted to police colleges for formal training before deployment to commands and formations nationwide. 
Why this matters now
For many young Nigerians, Adamawa leads as 616,873 apply for police recruitment highlights two important trends:
1. Youth interest in public service remains strong despite high unemployment.
2. Regional engagement in national security careers varies widely, with unexpected leaders like Adamawa recording more applications than larger states. 
The Nigeria Police Force and PSC have repeatedly called on applicants to avoid fraud and intermediaries, noting that the process is free of charge and direct through official portals. 
Meanwhile, the whistle-blowing policy introduced by the PSC allows Nigerians to report suspected irregularities in the recruitment process, with assurances that all reports will be investigated confidentially. 
Bottom line
With 616,873 applications recorded and states like Adamawa at the front, this recruitment cycle ranks among the most competitive in decades for Nigeria’s security apparatus. The next phase — screening and verification — will ultimately narrow the field to the targeted 50,000 recruits, shaping the future of policing in Nigeria. 
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