Police Recruitment Struggles with High Numbers of Unqualified Applicants 

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has found itself grappling with a daunting task as it revealed that a staggering 547,774 applications have inundated the Police Recruitment portal for the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). 

The portal, which opened its doors on October 15, 2023, has been flooded with applicants over the past five weeks, with its closing date set for next Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Over 200,000 police applicants were unqualified

Out of this colossal pool of applicants, a total of 358,900 have successfully navigated the initial screening and emerged as qualified candidates for the subsequent phases of the recruitment process. These stages include rigorous assessments such as physical tests, scrutinization of credentials, comprehensive medical evaluations, and stringent background checks.

In a statement, Ikechukwu Ani, the spokesperson for the PSC, also disclosed that a significant portion of the applicants, numbering 84,606, had to be rejected due to exceeding the age limit. Prospective candidates are expected to fall within the age bracket of 18 to 25 years to be eligible for consideration.

The data highlights disparities in application numbers among various states across Nigeria. Kaduna State leads the pack with an impressive 40,272 applications, solidifying its position as the state with the highest number of aspirants. In stark contrast, Anambra State lags, recording a mere 1,664 applicants, marking it as the state with the lowest application rate.

Adamawa State closely trails Kaduna, securing the second spot with 36,398 applications, while Borno State occupies the third position with 32,048 applicants.

Benue State follows closely with 31,122 applications, claiming the fourth spot. Katsina State, with 30,202 applicants, stands as the fifth most enthusiastic contributor to the applicant pool, while Bauchi State, boasting 30,604 applicants, occupies the sixth position. Kano State rounds up the top seven with 30,004 applicants.

On the other end of the spectrum, Ebonyi State emerges as the second-to-last state with 2,132 applications, just ahead of Anambra. Lagos State, with 2,324 applicants, holds the fourth-to-last position, followed by Bayelsa State, which ranks as the fifth-to-last state with 2,651 applicants. Abia State concludes the list of states with 2,796 applicants, securing the fifth-to-last position.