
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) have strengthened their partnership to promote equity, inclusivity, accountability and fairness in the Nigerian Police Force.
The collaboration is aimed at ensuring that recruitment into the police reflects the diversity of Nigeria and adheres to the principles of the federal character.
During a courtesy visit to the FCC headquarters in Abuja, the chairman of the PSC, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Rtd) Ashimu Argungun, mni, emphasised that deeper cooperation between both commissions is necessary to enhance credibility in police recruitment and improve public trust in the institution.
Argungun stressed that equity, not just equality, must guide recruitment. He noted that treating everyone the same without considering context can lead to injustice. “Equity means recognising disparities and addressing them fairly. Local government areas, states and geopolitical zones must be properly represented. Gender balance must also be factored in,” he said.
The PSC chairman declared the commission’s zero-tolerance policy toward corrupt practices such as selling recruitment slots or manipulating the process. He issued a stern warning to those involved in such activities. “Let me be clear: the Police Service Commission has changed. If you are caught selling any slot, rest assured that you will be arrested, investigated and charged to court,” he warned.
Argungun added that there would be no backdoor entries, waivers, or replacements outside the approved process. “There is no waiver. If there’s a request, we’ll communicate it clearly. Do not come to me or take shortcuts. Leadership demands doing the right thing. The process must be transparent to protect the chances of the common man who genuinely applies,” he charged.
In his remarks, the acting chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Hon. Kayode Oladele, ESQ. clarified the commission’s role in the recruitment process. He explained that the FCC does not initiate waivers, as sometimes assumed. Instead, the PSC independently decides when to advertise vacancies, after which the FCC ensures compliance with federal character principles.
Oladele expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership between the FCC and PSC would yield a more diverse and representative Nigeria Police Force. “This collaboration will deepen engagement, promote mutual understanding and harmonise efforts toward building a more inclusive, equitable and secure Nigeria,” he said.
He emphasised that representation within law enforcement institutions has implications beyond staffing; it builds national unity, trust in public institutions and sustainable peace. “Police force that mirrors Nigeria’s rich diversity is more likely to command public confidence, deter insecurity and serve all citizens impartially,” Oladele noted.
He added that aligning police recruitment, training and promotion practices with federal character principles was not just a constitutional requirement but a strategic imperative. “It is a practical approach to strengthening national cohesion. When people see themselves represented in law enforcement, it fosters trust and reduces alienation,” he explained.
The FCC boss assured that the commission remains open to strategic collaborations that do not compromise merit but embed fairness and transparency. “We are keen to institutionalise equity without sacrificing competence. Together, we can design frameworks and action plans that support compliance, enhance transparency and build capacity in sensitive sectors like law enforcement,” he stated.
Oladele also stressed the importance of transparency and communication in recruitment. “We believe that proactive engagements like this help dispel misconceptions and foster accountability. Our institutions must work together to ensure no qualified Nigerian is denied an opportunity based on manipulation or bias,” he said.
He reaffirmed the FCC’s readiness to support the PSC in monitoring recruitment to ensure full federal character compliance. He reiterated that diversity in the Nigeria Police Force should not be symbolic but embedded in actual processes – from recruitment and training to promotion and deployment.
Both commissions agreed to formalise the renewed collaboration through structured engagements, capacity-building initiatives and joint monitoring exercises. These efforts, they said, would ensure that the recruitment process is inclusive, corruption-free and aligned with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions and national development goals.
The partnership between FCC and PSC represents a significant step toward reforming Nigeria’s police system by anchoring it in fairness, accountability and broad-based representation. At a time when public confidence in security institutions is low, initiatives like this provide hope for a more inclusive and credible policing framework across the country.