The Nigeria Police Salary & Recruitment 2026 update is one of the most searched topics for applicants seeking to join the force and for citizens wanting a clearer understanding of how police officers are paid. Every year, thousands of Nigerians look for verified information about the current salary structure, official recruitment requirements, rank progression, and the different allowances approved for police officers. This guide provides a simple, well-researched breakdown of everything you need to know from entry-level police pay to senior officer earnings, recruitment criteria, and the benefits attached to each rank.
As new reforms continue to shape public sector wages, understanding the latest Nigeria Police salary structure has become essential for applicants, families, and serving officers. This article brings together trusted information, updated estimates, and verified sources to give you a complete, easy-to-read guide for 2026.
Why salaries differ across ranks (how pay is set)
Two mechanics drive what a Nigeria Police officer is paid:
- Consolidated federal salary frameworks — the National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC) issues consolidated salary structures (CONPSS / CONPASS / other frameworks) that federal agencies use to set basic pay rates and grade levels. Revisions to these frameworks change pay across the public service — including the Police. The NSIWC site publishes implementation circulars that are the authoritative policy references.
- Agency/role-based allowances and internal mappings — the Nigeria Police Force maps police ranks to grade levels and then supplements basic pay with allowances (housing, hazard, transport, uniform maintenance, etc.). Different sites and job portals report practical monthly pay ranges by mapping ranks to the consolidated structure and adding allowances; that is why public tables often show ranges rather than a single number.
Recent policy context — consolidated salary structures
In recent years Nigeria implemented major consolidated salary reforms that affect pay for all federal workers, including uniformed services. The NSIWC published implementation documents and circulars that explain how the new consolidated public service salary structure is applied across federal agencies. These documents are the single most important policy source when claiming official pay changes.
Why this matters for 2026:
- Any consolidated pay increase or re-mapping that took effect in 2024–2025 will carry through to payrolls in 2026.
- Recruitment literature and salary tables published in 2025–2026 reflect those reforms, which is why many 2026 estimates appear higher than older tables. Always cross-check the date of the source.
Official recruitment channels and eligibility (2026 intake)
If you want to join the Nigeria Police Force in 2026, follow official channels only. Key points:
- Official portals: The Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission (PSC) publish recruitment notices. Candidate registration is done through the official recruitment portal(s) (e.g.,
npf.gov.ngandpolicerecruitment.gov.ngor portals designated in the recruitment notice). Always confirm the current portal address on the official NPF or PSC site to avoid scams. - Typical basic eligibility (varies by year & intake): Nigerian citizenship, National Identity Number (NIN), O-Level/WAEC/NECO credits (usually minimum 5–6 in not more than two sittings), age limits (varies by entry route and academy), medical and physical fitness (height and medical screening), and sometimes JAMB requirements for academy courses. Specific recruitment notices list the exact cutoffs for that intake.
- Steps in the process: online registration, CBT/aptitude test, physical screening, documentation check, medical/psychological exam, and final vetting/briefing. Many recruitment guides emphasize that registration is free and that applicants should not pay intermediaries.
Security note: Recruitment fraud is common—only use official recruitment portals and verify announcement PDFs on NPF/PSC pages.
Nigeria Police ranks
The Police has a typical rank ladder grouped into commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). For clarity, a simplified ladder (low → high):
Non-commissioned / junior ranks
- Police Recruit (trainee)
- Police Constable (PC)
- Lance Corporal / Corporal
- Sergeant / Staff Sergeant / Sergeant Major
Junior commissioned / supervisory ranks
- Inspector
- Chief Inspector
- Superintendent ranks (DSP, SP, CSP)
Senior commissioned ranks
- Assistant Commissioner (ACP)
- Commissioner of Police (CP)
- Assistant Inspector General (AIG)
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG)
- Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Different publications map these ranks to federal grade levels to estimate pay. Keep in mind that exact titles and internal categories may have small administrative variants. (See salary table below for commonly cited grade mappings.) Also Read : DSS Salary Structure 2026 – Full Breakdown of Officers’ Ranks, Pay &; Allowances
Estimated monthly salary ranges by rank (2026)
Important: Official payroll tables are controlled by the NSIWC and the NPF’s HR unit. Many accessible public tables are estimates compiled by recruitment or salary sites by mapping ranks to consolidated grade levels and sometimes adding allowances. I present widely-reported 2026 ranges and clearly mark them as estimates where necessary.
Below are practical, conservative ranges aggregated from recent, widely-cited sources (rounded to make reading easier):
Entry level & NCOs (estimates)
- Police Recruit (training): ₦40,000 – ₦60,000/month.
- Police Constable (after passing out): ₦45,000 – ₦90,000/month (wide range due to different reporting methods).
- Corporal / Lance Corporal: ₦50,000 – ₦110,000/month.
- Sergeant / Staff Sergeant / Sergeant Major: ₦70,000 – ₦140,000/month.
Junior commissioned officers
- Inspector of Police: ₦80,000 – ₦180,000/month.
- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP): ₦150,000 – ₦220,000/month (graduate entry).
- Deputy Superintendent (DSP) / Superintendent (SP): ₦160,000 – ₦320,000/month (varies with grade/step).
Senior ranks
- Assistant Commissioner (ACP) / Commissioner (CP): ₦300,000 – ₦600,000/month (depending on grade level and step).
- Assistant Inspector General (AIG): ₦450,000 – ₦600,000/month.
- Deputy Inspector General (DIG): ₦500,000 – ₦700,000/month.
- Inspector General of Police (IGP): ₦700,000 – ₦1,200,000/month (public estimates cluster around ₦711,498 in many sources; actual official pay may be set by grade-level policy).
Allowances, benefits and non-cash compensation
Allowances materially change take-home pay. Commonly reported allowances for police include:
- Housing / Rent allowance — often a percentage of base or a fixed band for ranks without official quarters.
- Hazard / Risk / Operational allowance — payable to officers on dangerous duties or deployments; can be significant for specialized units.
- Transport allowance — for certain ranks or officers required to use private vehicles.
- Uniform maintenance allowance — small annual or monthly stipend for uniform upkeep.
- Medical coverage & pension contributions — the force often provides access to medical services and contributes to pension schemes as per federal rules.
Example pay calculations (gross vs net)
Below are illustrative examples (not payroll extracts). I show basic and then add typical allowances to get a gross estimate.
Example A — Inspector (mid-range)
- Basic (estimate): ₦120,000
- Housing (20%): ₦24,000
- Hazard/operational: ₦20,000
- Transport & misc: ₦10,000
- Gross monthly (est): ₦174,000
- Annual gross (est): ₦2,088,000
Example B — Superintendent (SP) (senior)
- Basic (estimate): ₦250,000
- Housing (20%): ₦50,000
- Hazard/allowances: ₦30,000
- Transport: ₦20,000
- Gross monthly (est): ₦350,000
- Annual gross (est): ₦4,200,000
After statutory deductions (tax, pension contribution, NHF where applicable) net take-home will be lower. Deductions vary by personal tax code and pension arrangement. Also See : CDCFIB Recruitment 2026 Shortlist: Check Full List, CBT Exam Dates &; Screening Requirements
Promotion, step increases and career progression impacts on pay
Three main drivers of pay increases inside the Police:
- Promotion to a higher rank — often the biggest single jump. Rank promotions typically move an officer to a higher consolidated grade or step.
- Time-in-service step increments — officers progress through salary steps within a grade. When the NSIWC updates practices (e.g., consolidated pay reforms), step timing and values can shift.
- Special duty postings and allowances — temporary operational allowances can increase pay during deployments or special assignments.
Practical tip: For career planning, promotions from junior commissioned to superintendent ranks and above are where you see the most material pay uplift.
How to verify salary claims (official steps)
If you need to validate a salary figure (for publishing, HR, or personal planning):
- Check NSIWC circulars — these are authoritative for consolidated pay changes. NSIWC site hosts the implementation documents.
- Ask NPF HR or Finance — for a payroll letter or grade-to-pay mapping for a specific rank and step. This is the payroll-grade authoritative evidence.
- Cross-check reputable outlets — major industry sites like MyJobMag, Recruitend, CampusCybercafe and recognized news outlets regularly update summary tables after policy changes; use these as context but not proof.
Practical advice for applicants and officers
- Applicants: apply only through official portals (NPF or PSC) and keep copies of confirmation slips. Avoid intermediaries; registration is free.
- Serving officers: track NSIWC circulars and internal HR memos to confirm when consolidated changes are implemented in payroll.
- Content publishers: clearly label salary tables as estimates unless backed by an official payroll or NSIWC circular; include source links and dates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the starting salary for a Nigeria Police constable in 2026?
A: Publicly published estimates for 2026 put entry-level recruits/constables in the range of ₦40,000–₦90,000 per month depending on whether the figure includes allowances. Verify with NPF HR for exact grade/step pay.
Q: How much does the Inspector General of Police earn in 2026?
A: Aggregated public estimates cluster around ₦700,000+ monthly; some compilations list the IGP at ~₦711,498 per month. For official confirmation, consult NPF/finance circulars or NSIWC grade declarations.
Q: Where do police recruitment applications open?
A: Use the official Nigeria Police Force recruitment portal and the Police Service Commission announcements. Confirm portal URLs on the official NPF or PSC websites to avoid scams.
Q: Do police officers receive hazard allowance?
A: Yes — hazard/operational allowances are commonly reported for officers on dangerous assignments. Amounts vary by role and implementation.
Q: Are these salary figures official?
A: Many publicly available tables are estimates compiled by mapping ranks to consolidated grade levels and sometimes adding allowances. Official confirmation requires NSIWC circulars or NPF payroll documentation.