‎Tinubu moves to flood security sector with 94,000 fresh recruits amid nationwide emergency

Nigeria is set for its largest security manpower surge in over a decade as the Federal Government approves the enlistment of more than 94,000 new personnel across the police, military and paramilitary services in a sweeping response to rising insecurity.
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‎At the centre of the push is the recruitment of 50,000 police constables, with the Police Service Commission announcing that the portal will open to eligible Nigerians from December 15, 2025 to January 25, 2026, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
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‎According to the Commission, the exercise is aimed at strengthening community policing, boosting internal security and expanding the manpower base of the force. Applicants for the General Duty cadre must possess five O’level credits—including English and Mathematics—while those seeking specialist roles must show relevant certifications and at least three years of experience.
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‎The military is also bracing for a major expansion. A senior Army official, speaking off the record, revealed that the service may recruit about 14,000 soldiers following the President’s order. The Navy and Air Force are likewise expected to increase their intakes, though exact figures remain undisclosed.
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‎This push comes on the heels of the Ministry of Interior’s earlier plan to deploy 30,000 paramilitary officers, an exercise now being expedited to inject fresh hands into critical security agencies.
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‎The massive recruitment rollout follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, 2025, a directive that ordered the police and armed forces to immediately expand their ranks to confront Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.