FG Approves Massive Recruitment of 94,000 Personnel into Police, Military, and Paramilitary to Boost Manpower

The Federal Government has authorized a massive security sector recruitment drive, approving the enlistment of over 94,000 new personnel into the nation’s police, military, and paramilitary services. This unprecedented expansion of manpower is a direct response to the escalating levels of insecurity and is aimed at putting more “boots on the ground” to confront threats ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping.

The directive, initiated by President Bola Tinubu who declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025, forms a critical component of the administration’s strategy to strengthen internal security and expand community policing efforts.

The largest confirmed intake is slated for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the NPF, is set to recruit 50,000 Police Constables. The PSC, through its Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, announced that the recruitment portal for eligible Nigerians will open shortly, running from December 15, 2025, to January 25, 2026. This drive covers both the General Duty and Specialists cadres.

Further contributing to the 94,000 figure, the Nigerian Army is reportedly planning to recruit approximately 14,000 new soldiers following the Presidential directive. Additionally, a prior recruitment drive announced in June 2025 by the Ministry of Interior accounts for 30,000 personnel across the four paramilitary agencies: the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

The planned mass recruitment has been largely welcomed by state governors and security analysts who have long argued that the country’s security architecture is severely understaffed relative to the population. However, experts have also cautioned the government to ensure the recruitment process is thorough, transparent, and focused on selecting dedicated individuals, rather than being swayed by political considerations.