Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) Recruitment Guide

The Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) at Wudil, Kano State is the only degree-awarding institution of the Nigeria Police Force. Successful cadets graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a commission as Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II). This guide covers the latest POLAC recruitment requirements, application process, and the salary you can expect at commissioning.

Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) at a Glance

• Location: Wudil, Kano State
• Type: Federal degree-awarding security academy
• Faculties: Humanities, Law, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Management Sciences
• Programme length: 5 years combined academic and police training (Law programme is 6 years)
• On graduation: Bachelor’s degree + commission as ASP II
• Application portal: polac.edu.ng

Eligibility Requirements

The latest POLAC application cycle (Regular Course intake) sets the following minimum standards:

Citizenship and identity

• Must be a Nigerian citizen by birth
• Must possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN)
• Must not be married or pregnant at the time of admission

Age

Between 17 and 21 years as of the cut-off date stated in the current advert (October 31 of the application year is typical).

Physical

• Height: at least 1.67m for males and 1.64m for females
• Expanded chest measurement: at least 86cm (34 inches) for males
• Free from any physical deformity or mental disability
• Must pass medical, physical, and psychological fitness tests

Academic

• At least 6 credits in WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, in not more than 2 sittings
• Credit passes must include English Language and Mathematics, plus subjects relevant to your chosen course
• JAMB UTME score of at least 180 in the current year
• POLAC must be selected as your first choice on the JAMB form

Examination performance

You must score satisfactorily in both the POLAC selection examination (general paper covering English, Mathematics, current affairs, plus a faculty-specific section) and the interview.

How to Apply for POLAC Recruitment

1. Wait for the official advert on polac.edu.ng announcing the current Regular Course intake.
2. Make sure your JAMB UTME selection lists POLAC as your first choice.
3. Pay the application fee through the portal’s designated payment gateway and obtain the receipt.
4. Create an applicant account on the POLAC portal using your NIN, JAMB number, and a working email/phone number.
5. Fill the application form with your personal, academic, and contact details. Upload your passport photo and supporting documents.
6. Submit and print the application slip — you’ll need it on screening day.

Documents to Bring on Screening Day

• Original and photocopies of WAEC/NECO/NABTEB results (and the scratch card or token for online verification)
• Original and photocopy of JAMB UTME result slip for the current year
• Birth certificate or sworn declaration of age
• NIN slip
• Certificate of state and local government of origin signed by the appropriate authority
• Primary and secondary school testimonials
• POLAC application acknowledgement slip and proof of payment
• Personal kit: blue shorts, white T-shirts, white canvas shoes, white socks, toiletries, crockery and cutlery
• Sufficient transport money to and from Wudil

Any alteration on documents leads to outright disqualification.

Selection Examination

The POLAC selection exam may run as Computer-Based Test (CBT) or Pencil-and-Paper. It covers:

• Section A (compulsory): general knowledge, current affairs, English Language, Mathematics
• Section B: subject paper aligned to your chosen faculty

The interview and physical screening follow only for candidates who clear the written exam.

Course Duration and Commissioning

Cadets undergo combined academic and police training for a minimum of five years (six for Law). On successful completion, you graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the academy and are commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force as Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II).

POLAC Graduate Salary (ASP II Entry)

ASP II is the entry rank for POLAC graduates and other direct-degree-entry recruits. Current basic salary at this rank is roughly ₦243,000 – ₦280,000 per month, before allowances. Standard allowances include housing, transport, uniform, hardship (for difficult postings), and risk pay, which can push gross pay materially higher.

For comparison, the Constable starting rank for non-graduate recruits sits at around ₦43,000 – ₦60,000 basic monthly, with allowances bringing total compensation to roughly ₦70,000 – ₦95,000.

Useful Nigeria Police Force Links

• Nigeria Police Academy: polac.edu.ng
• Nigeria Police Force: npf.gov.ng
• Police Service Commission: psc.gov.ng
• NPF on Facebook: facebook.com/ngpolice

Frequently Asked Questions

Is POLAC the same as the regular Nigeria Police recruitment?

No. POLAC is the degree-awarding academy for cadets commissioned as ASP II. The regular Nigeria Police Force recruitment, run by the Police Service Commission, takes in Constables and is open to SSCE holders without a JAMB requirement.

What JAMB cut-off does POLAC require?

The minimum JAMB UTME score is 180. POLAC must be selected as your first-choice institution on the JAMB form for your application to be considered.

How long is training at POLAC?

Five years for most degree programmes, six years for Law. Training combines university coursework with police drills and field exercises.

What rank do POLAC graduates start at?

ASP II (Assistant Superintendent of Police II), with basic monthly pay in the ₦243,000 – ₦280,000 band, plus allowances.

Can married applicants apply to POLAC?

No. The advert explicitly bars married candidates and pregnant applicants from admission.

What WAEC sittings count for POLAC?

You can combine results from no more than two sittings. The six required credits must include English Language and Mathematics, plus subjects aligned to your chosen faculty.

Can I apply to POLAC and another university through JAMB simultaneously?

You can list a second-choice institution on JAMB, but POLAC must be your first choice for the academy to consider your application. POLAC will reject candidates who placed it as a second-choice institution.

Where is POLAC located?

The academy is in Wudil, a town about 35 km east of Kano city in Kano State.

Read also: Nigerian military ranks (Army, Navy, Air Force).