The Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have announced a two-week extension of the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables following a sharp imbalance in applications across states, a development that has sparked fresh concern over regional participation in national security efforts.
The extension was confirmed in a statement by PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed that more than 400,000 applications had already been received nationwide. However, a review of the data revealed significant disparities in state-level participation, prompting the decision to extend the deadline.
According to the commission, states such as Adamawa, Benue and Kaduna recorded remarkably high numbers of applicants, while Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Anambra posted notably low submission figures despite their population size and strategic importance.
“The PSC and the Nigeria Police Force announce a two-week extension for the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 constables,” the statement read in part. “This decision follows the receipt of over 400,000 applications and a review showing significant disparities in state participation.”
The commission noted that the extension is aimed at ensuring equitable representation across the federation, stressing that the recruitment exercise is designed to reflect national diversity and inclusiveness.
Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), through the statement, urged eligible Nigerians, especially those from states with low application numbers, to seize the opportunity and apply through the official recruitment portal before the new deadline expires.
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He also appealed to state governments, local government councils, traditional rulers, religious institutions, sociocultural organisations and community leaders to intensify mobilisation and sensitisation efforts within their jurisdictions.
“The extension aims to ensure equitable representation nationwide. All eligible Nigerians, particularly from states with fewer applications, are strongly encouraged to apply via the official portal,” the statement added.
Observers say the recruitment drive is one of the largest in recent years and is critical to addressing manpower shortages within the Nigeria Police Force, especially amid rising security challenges across the country.
With the new deadline in place, authorities hope the extension will correct the imbalance, boost participation from underrepresented states and strengthen the credibility of the recruitment process as a truly national exercise.
As the clock resets, pressure is now on stakeholders in low-participation states to rally eligible youths and ensure their states are not left behind in a recruitment exercise that could shape the future of policing in Nigeria.
