By Nkechi Eze
The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have moved swiftly to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the recruitment of additional police personnel, with both institutions jointly establishing a high-powered Ad-hoc Committee to supervise the immediate enlistment of 30,000 new officers.
The development was announced in an official signed statement by Torty Njoku Kalu of the Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC, who confirmed that the Joint Ad-hoc Committee was inaugurated on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd). The inauguration took place at the PSC Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, signalling the beginning of a major recruitment exercise aimed at boosting the numerical strength of the Force and enhancing national security.
According to the PSC, the mandate of the committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on establishing a seamless, transparent and merit-driven recruitment process that aligns with national expectations and the President’s security directives. The committee will also ensure that the exercise adheres to the highest standards of integrity.
Speaking at the inauguration on behalf of the PSC Chairman, DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), fdc, who also serves as Chairman of the Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee of the PSC, stressed that the cooperation between both institutions is essential to the success of the recruitment. He reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to a fair, credible and guideline-based process, adding that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise.”
The Inspector-General of Police, represented by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters, underscored the significance of the recruitment drive in strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that expanding the Force’s manpower would greatly enhance its ability to serve and protect citizens across the country. The IGP assured that the NPF would fully support the PSC to ensure that the recruitment process is timely, efficient and achieves the national objective set by the President.
The establishment of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is seen as a major step in the Federal Government’s broader strategy to address emerging security challenges and improve the country’s police-to-citizen ratio, which has long been below international standards.
The statement further highlighted the statutory roles of both institutions: the Police Service Commission serves as the Federal Executive Body responsible for appointing, promoting, dismissing and exercising disciplinary control over all police officers except the Inspector-General of Police, while the Nigeria Police Force remains the nation’s principal law enforcement agency, mandated to prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.
With the committee now inaugurated, the nationwide recruitment of 30,000 officers is set to begin, marking a decisive move to strengthen policing and reinforce the nation’s internal security framework.
