Nigerian Police Ranks, Salaries, Symbols & How To Join

In 1820, the Nigerian Police Force was established as the primary law enforcement agency in the nation. A small group of Hausa men initially formed the paramilitary organization, which later expanded to include another group in Calabar in 1894. At the time, there were segmental forms of police organization; the Niger Coast Constabulary and the Royal Niger Company Constabulary were formed in the north. These groups form the NPF we know today. The 1999 constitution recognized NPF as the nation’s police force. Its headquarters is in the country’s capital.

This Nigeria Police Force operates 17 zonal offices across the country. The police force’s duties are to protect lives and properties and enforce law and order. NPF is a regimental organization that undergoes training in police training schools, writes promotion exams, and gets promoted. Their salaries increase based on their rank, which is determined by factors which include whether they are posted to rural or urban areas, their deployment to special units like counter-terrorism and special forces, their years of service, and any promotions they receive.

The Nigerian police force has commissioned and non-commissioned officers, who also receive benefits based on ranks, training, duty tours, housing, health care, and transportation. These packages help to improve their working performance and welfare. In addition, they will receive a pension and a gratuity upon retirement. Consequently, the Nigerian police face numerous challenges, including irregular or delayed payments and poor welfare. These issues facing this force arm could help reform the police to improve work efficiency. The salaries that personnel receive in the long term have prompted concerns due to the inherent risk associated with the position. To be enlisted, candidates must apply and complete a screening process, as discussed in the later part of this write-up.

List of Nigerian police Ranks, Salaries & Symbols Meaning

NO	Rank Abbreviation	Rank Title	Definition of Term	Symbols (Insignia) Description	Monthly Salary (₦)	Category
1	IGP	Inspector General of Police	Head of the Nigeria Police Force	Crossed tipstaffs, two stars, and Nigerian coat of arms, in a laurel wreath	₦711,498	Commissioned Officer
2	DIG	Deputy Inspector General of Police	Second highest rank in the NPF hierarchy	Crossed tipstaffs, one star, and Nigerian coat of arms, in a laurel wreath	₦546,573	Commissioned Officer
3	AIG	Assistant Inspector General of Police	Senior officer in charge of zones	Crossed tipstaffs and Nigerian coat of arms, in a laurel wreath	₦499,752	Commissioned Officer
4	CP	Commissioner of Police	Heads a state command	Crossed tipstaffs and Nigerian coat of arms, in a laurel wreath	₦302,970	Commissioned Officer
5	DCP	Deputy Commissioner of Police	Assists the CP in running state police operations	Crossed tipstaffs and one star, in a laurel wreath	₦278,853	Commissioned Officer
6	ACP	Assistant Commissioner of Police	Supervises departmental and divisional operations	Crossed tipstaffs, in a laurel wreath	₦212,938	Commissioned Officer
7	CSP	Chief Superintendent of Police	Senior field officer	Nigerian coat of arms and one star	₦199,724	Commissioned Officer
8	SP	Superintendent of Police	Oversees tactical units or stations	Nigerian coat of arms	₦172,089	Commissioned Officer
9	DSP	Deputy Superintendent of Police	Assists SPs in operations	Three stars arranged vertically	₦170,400	Commissioned Officer
10	ASP	Assistant Superintendent of Police	Entry-level officer rank for cadet graduates	Two stars arranged vertically	₦156,318	Commissioned Officer
11	IP	Inspector of Police	Supervises lower ranks in field duties	One bar above a larger bar	₦87,135	Non-Commissioned Officer
12	SM	Sergeant Major	Senior-most non-commissioned rank	Nigerian coat of arms	₦62,205	Non-Commissioned Officer
13	Sergeant		Commands a team of corporals and constables	Three red downward-pointing chevrons	₦55,974	Non-Commissioned Officer
14	Corporal		Supports sergeants, assists in junior leadership roles	Two red downward-pointing chevrons	₦53,114	Non-Commissioned Officer
15	Constable		Entry-level officer for basic duties	One red downward-pointing chevron	₦48,114	Non-Commissioned Officer
16	Police Recruit (Trainee)		Under training; not yet confirmed as police constable	No insignia	NA	Non-Commissioned Officer

What Are The Duties of Nigerian Police Force?

Every day in Nigeria, crimes are committed, and the rate of insecurity in the country is alarming. The need for law and order has been entrusted to the Nigerian police and other security organizations, but they are the lead agency in combating the situation. Here is the importance of the Nigeria Police Force:

• Protection of lives and properties: On many occasions, you may wonder if your life is safe in a society where crimes are regular, theft, banditry, or armed robbery. The Nigerian police have received training to combat such issues and ensure you can live peacefully in your homes. This is because protecting lives and property is the number one responsibility they uphold.
• Maintaining Law and Order: In the case of unrest caused by riots or protests that have led to the destruction of government and civilian properties, the Nigerian police ensure that perpetrators are arrested in most cases and prosecuted so it can serve as a deterrent to others to show the public the existence of law in the nation.
• Providing escort duties: their sophisticated arms and training acquired, they protect government officials who are targets of criminals at all times. This further gives the executives the confidence to serve their citizens around the clock and from anywhere in the nation. Other duties include Assisting the military when needed, Protecting Human rights, etc.

How to join the  Nigerian Police (Requirements)

Joining the Nigeria Police is a patriotic dream for every citizen. To become one, these are the things you will require for eligibility:

• Must be a  Nigerian Citizen
• Be 18 years and above.
• Must have a certificate from the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), or the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) with a minimum of six credits, and also the candidate must have sat for the exams no more than twice.
• Candidate must be physically, medicinally and psychologically fit.

To join the Nigeria Police Academy, a candidate must:

• Be between the age bracket of 17 and 21 years.
• Medically, physically and psychologically fit and not having any deformity
• Have an expanded chest of not less than 34 inches, which is equivalent to 18 cm, 1.64 m, or 5 feet 4 inches.
• Pass all relevant exams, like reaching the cutoff mark for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Exams (JAMB), archiving six credits with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO), including a compulsory pass in mathematics and English, and carrying out medical assessments.

Conclusion

The Nigerian Police is a well-structured, regimental organization ready to combat crimes of all calibres. Since its establishment, both commissioned and non-commissioned officers acknowledge the hierarchy of authority, which extends from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the rank of constable.

For Nigerians keen to join the Nigerian police force, it is clearly outlined and accessible to all citizens who meet the enlistment criteria. While candidates are interested, the reality and expectations for anyone who wishes to join the law enforcement agency are well explained here.

The Nigerian police have been praised, and the government is taking steps to improve the Nigerian police force salaries to meet their needs and the job’s risks. However, to improve the situation, the government is discussing police reform, which aims to provide personnel with better welfare benefits.