The Nigerian Police Force, abbreviated as NPF, is the major law enforcement and principal security agency in Nigeria. The force as we have it today was established in 1930 and had a motto that says, “Police is Your Friend.” The colors on its flag are horizontally striped blue, yellow, and green. The security system is designed to provide one police command for every state in Nigeria. This makes a total of thirty-six commands for all thirty-six (36) states in Nigeria.

The commands are further grouped into twelve (12) zones, and there are seven different administrative branches that regulate these zones. With over two thousand (2000) police stations spread across the nation, the police system is hierarchical. The duties assigned to an officer and what the officer earns are dependent on the officer’s rank. Here is a breakdown of the Nigerian Police Force rank and how much is paid for each rank.

Ranks in the Nigerian Police Force in Ascending Order

Salaries for the Different Ranks of the Police Force

The salaries of police officers vary depending on the rank of the officer. Below is a list of the different ranks and their current salary structure.

Constable

1a. Police Constable Grade Level 03 earns ₦43,293.83 monthly and ₦519,525.60 annually. 

1b. Police Constable Grade Level 10 earns ₦49,113.59 monthly and ₦613,363.08 annually. 

Corporal

2a. Police Corporal on Grade Level 04 (step 1) earns ₦44,715.53 monthly and ₦536,586.36 annually. 

2b. Police Corporal on Grade Level 04 (step 10) earns ₦51,113.59 monthly and ₦613,363.08 annually.

Sergeant  

3a. Police Sergeant on Grade Level 05 (step 1) earns ₦48,540.88 monthly and ₦582,490.56 annually.

3b. Police Sergeant on Grade Level 05 (step 10) earns ₦55,973.84 monthly and ₦671,686.08 annually.

Sergeant Major

4a. Sergeant Major on Grade Level 06 (step 1) earns ₦55,144.81 monthly and ₦661,737.72 annually.

4b. Sergeant Major on Grade Level 06 (step 10) earns ₦62,204.88 monthly and ₦746,458.56 annually.

Cadet Inspector

5a Cadet Inspector on Grade Level 07 (step 1) earns ₦73,231.51 monthly and ₦878,778.12 annually. 

5b. Cadet Inspector on Grade Level 07 (step 10) earns ₦87,135.70 monthly and ₦1,045,628.40 annually.

Assistant Superintendent

6a. Assistant Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 08 (step 1) earns ₦127,604.68 monthly and ₦1,531,256.16 annually. 

6b. Assistant Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 08 (step 10) earns ₦144,152.07 monthly and ₦1,729,824.84 annually.

6c. Assistant Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 09 (step 1) earns ₦136,616.06 monthly and ₦1,639,392.72 annually. 

6d. Assistant Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 09 (step10) earns ₦156,318.39 monthly and ₦1,875,820.68 annually.

Deputy Superintendent

7a. Deputy Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 10 (step 1) earns ₦148,733.29 monthly and ₦1,784,799.48 annually. 

7b. Deputy Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 10 (step 10) earns ₦170,399.69 monthly and ₦2,044,796.28 annually.

Superintendent of Police 

8a. Superintendent of Police on Level 11 (step 1) earns ₦161,478.29 monthly and ₦1,937,739.49 annually.

8b. Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 11 (step 10) earns ₦187,616 monthly and ₦2,251,400.28 annually.

Chief Superintendent of Police

9a. Chief Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 12 (step 1) earns ₦172,089.06 monthly and ₦2,065,068.72 annually. 

9b. Chief Superintendent of Police on Grade Level 12 (step 8) earns ₦199,723.96 monthly and ₦2,396,687.52 annually.

Assistant Commissioner  

10a. Assistant Commissioner of Police on Grade Level 13 (step 1) earns ₦183,185.73 monthly and ₦2,198,228.76 annually. 

10b. Assistant Commissioner of Police on Grade Level 13 (step 10) earns ₦212,938.96 monthly and ₦2,555,257.92 annually. 

Deputy Commissioner

11a. Deputy Commissioner of Police on Grade Level 14 (step 1) earns ₦242,715.65 monthly and ₦2,912,587.80 annually. 

11b. Deputy Commissioner of Police on Grade Level 14 (step 7) earns ₦278,852.79 monthly and ₦3,346,233.48 annually.

Commissioner of Police  

12a. Commissioner of Police on Grade Level 15 (step 1) earns ₦266,777.79 monthly and ₦3,201,333.48 annually. 

12b. Commissioner for Police on Grade Level 15 (step 6) earns ₦302,970.47 monthly and ₦3,635,645.64 annually.

Assistant Inspector General 

13. Assistant Inspector General of Police earns ₦499,751.87 monthly and ₦5,997,022.44 annually.

Deputy Inspector General 

15. Deputy Inspector General of Police earns ₦546,572.73 monthly and ₦6,558,872.76 annually. 

Inspector General

16. Inspector General of Police earns ₦711,498 monthly and ₦8,537,976 annually 

Promotion within the Nigerian Police Force

Generally, promotion within the Nigerian Police Force is supposed to be according to the date a member was enlisted or the date of last promotion. Other factors like performance in the promotion exams are also put into consideration. This promotion usually follows the sequence of the ranks. Officers gradually climb the ladder to the top.

However, there is room for Special Promotion, an approved promotional pattern where an officer with outstanding performance is promoted above the next expected rank. Unfortunately, the promotional system of the force is not fair and just. It favors Nigerian Police Force members who are close to high-ranking officers. 

While officers are promoted to other ranks, the position of the Inspector General of Police is more of a political appointment. The IGP receives their appointment from the president, who is also at liberty to sack the IGP at any time. This office lasts for four tenures, after which another officer is appointed.

Incentives and Allowances of the Nigerian Police Force

Serving in the Nigerian Police Force usually attracts some benefits such as housing allowance and other welfare packages. Compensation is also given to family members of officers who lose their lives in service to the country. However, like other sectors of the country, the police force suffers many setbacks, and these benefits are hardly given to members. When they are given, it is more of a ceremonial showoff as the supposed beneficiaries still end up complaining that their needs weren’t catered for.

How to Join the Nigerian Police Force

There are two primary ways through which Nigerian citizens can become members of the Nigerian Police Force. The first is by joining the Nigerian Police Academy (Polac), and the second is by joining as a graduate through the cadet ASP program. The two methods of recruitment have different procedures and requirements. People who want to join the force are generally called police recruits and are paid ₦9,019.42 monthly and ₦108,233 yearly.

The Nigerian Police Academy training lasts for over four years, and applicants must be within seventeen to twenty-five years old. Other requirements include physical fitness and wellness, Senior School Certificate Examination result with at least a credit in Mathematics and English; female applicants must not be pregnant, etc.

The cadet ASP program, which runs for nine to twelve months, is open to graduates of recognized universities and polytechnics. Applicants are to fall within the age range of twenty to twenty-eight and are to fulfill other requirements. It is important to note that officers who join the force through Polac get promoted faster than those who join through the cadet ASP program.

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