The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially opened its 2026 recruitment exercise for both Constable (General Duty) and Specialist Cadre positions. The application portal went live on 28 February 2026 and will remain open until 31 March 2026 (midnight). This is the first major nationwide recruitment in the NPF since the 2024–2025 cycle, and it is expected to fill several thousand vacancies across all 36 states and the FCT.
The recruitment is free of charge and must be completed exclusively through the official portal at recruitment.npf.gov.ng. Any individual or group asking for money to “process” your application is running a scam. Below are the current entry requirements for both categories, based on the official advert published by the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the NPF.
Constable (General Duty) Requirements
This is the entry-level rank for regular police officers.
- Nationality: Must be Nigerian by birth
- Age: 18–25 years (born between 1 March 2001 and 28 February 2008)
- Height: Male ≥ 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in), Female ≥ 1.64 m (5 ft 4 in)
- Chest measurement (male only): ≥ 86 cm (34 inches) with expansion
- Educational qualification: Minimum of five (5) O’Level credits in not more than two sittings, including English Language and Mathematics
- Physical & mental fitness: Must be certified fit by a government medical officer
- Character: Must be of good character and have no criminal record
- Marital status: Must not be married or have children at the time of application
- Tattoos & piercings: No visible tattoos, tribal marks, or body piercings (except single ear piercing for females)
- Previous employment: Must not have been dismissed from any government service
Specialist Cadre Requirements
Specialist positions are open to professionals with specific skills or higher qualifications. The NPF is recruiting into the following specialist areas in 2026:
- Medical Doctors (MBBS)
- Nurses (RN/RM or BNSc)
- Medical Laboratory Scientists (BMLS)
- Pharmacists (B.Pharm)
- Radiographers (B.Sc Radiography)
- Physiotherapists (BPT)
- Optometrists (OD)
- Dental Therapists / Technicians
- Biomedical Engineers / Technicians
- Information & Communication Technology (ICT) specialists
- Veterinary Doctors (DVM)
- Drivers / Mechanics (Trade Test II / III)
- Electricians / Plumbers / Welders (Trade Test II / III)
General requirements for specialists
- Age: 18–28 years (except medical doctors and pharmacists up to 30 years)
- Qualification: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or HND (Upper Credit) in the relevant field
- Professional registration/licence: Mandatory (MDCN, NMCN, MLSCN, PCN, etc.)
- NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter
- Same physical, character, and marital status requirements as Constable
Application Process (March 2026)
- Visit recruitment.npf.gov.ng
- Create an account with a valid email and phone number
- Fill the online form and upload clear scanned copies of:
- Birth certificate/age declaration
- O’Level result (WAEC/NECO/NABTEB)
- JAMB result slip (for Constable)
- Degree/HND certificate + transcript (for specialists)
- Professional licence
- NYSC certificate
- Passport photograph
- Submit and print the acknowledgement slip
- Monitor the portal and your email for shortlisting, CBT date, and physical screening invitation
There is no application fee. Any demand for money is fraudulent.
Quick Tips to Avoid Disqualification
Upload clear, coloured scans (not black & white). Ensure your O’Level result is uploaded and verified on JAMB CAPS before applying. Do not apply for more than one position. Avoid paying anyone to “help” with your application.
The physical screening and medical examination will be rigorous. Prepare by staying fit, maintaining good posture, and having all original documents ready.
Keep checking the official NPF website (npf.gov.ng), the PSC portal (psc.gov.ng), and the recruitment portal daily. The exercise is highly competitive, so only candidates with complete documents and strong physical/medical fitness usually succeed.