The Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force have extended the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables by two weeks following low application numbers from some states, including Lagos.
The extension comes despite the receipt of over 400,000 applications nationwide since the exercise commenced, with officials noting sharp disparities in participation across states.
The recruitment portal, which opened on December 15, 2025, was initially scheduled to close on January 25, 2026. It will now remain open until February 8, 2026.
The decision followed Tinubu’s directive on November 26, 2025, declaring a nationwide security emergency and ordering the Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces to recruit additional personnel to confront rising insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Mr Torty Kalu, said the extension became necessary after a review showed uneven application figures among states.
According to him, states such as Adamawa, Benue and Kaduna recorded high numbers of applicants, while Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Anambra posted notably low submissions.
“The PSC and NPF announce a two week extension for the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 constables. This decision follows the receipt of over 400,000 applications and a review showing significant disparities in state participation. While some states like Adamawa, Benue and Kaduna have high application numbers, states such as Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Anambra have notably lower submissions,” the statement read.
Kalu explained that the extension was aimed at achieving equitable representation across the country, stressing the need for wider participation from states with low application figures.
He urged eligible Nigerians, particularly those from affected states, to take advantage of the extension by applying through the official recruitment portal before the new deadline.
The PSC spokesman also called on state governments, local government councils, sociocultural organisations, religious bodies, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify mobilisation efforts within their jurisdictions.
“The extension aims to ensure equitable representation nationwide. All eligible Nigerians, particularly from the above mentioned states with fewer applications, are strongly encouraged to apply via the official portal,” he said.
He added that relevant stakeholders should “mobilise and sensitise eligible citizens within their jurisdictions to apply before the new deadline.”
