The Nigeria Police salary structure after the minimum wage increase is an important topic for serving officers, prospective recruits, job seekers and Nigerians who want to understand how police officers are paid.
Nigeria introduced a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month, and the change has raised questions about whether police salaries were also increased and how much officers now earn at different ranks. The Federal Government has confirmed the ₦70,000 minimum wage, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) maintains the salary structures used across the Federal Public Service.
For the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), salaries are administered under the Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS). However, it is important to distinguish between the national minimum wage, the approved police salary structure, basic salary and allowances.
This guide explains the Nigeria Police salary structure in simple terms and highlights what the minimum wage increase means for police officers.
What Is the Nigeria Police Salary Structure?
The Nigeria Police Force uses the Consolidated Police Salary Structure, commonly called CONPOSS, to determine the basic pay attached to different police ranks, grades and steps.
In simple terms, CONPOSS is the framework used to determine how much a police officer earns based on his or her position in the Force.
A police officer’s actual earnings can depend on several factors, including:
- Rank
- Salary grade
- Step
- Length of service
- Promotion
- Approved allowances
- Nature of duty
- Other applicable benefits
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission publishes and administers various salary structures for the Federal Public Service, including CONPOSS. Its official salary-structure information also includes circulars relating to the implementation of the new national minimum wage.
This means that a police officer’s salary should not be determined simply by looking at a figure posted on social media or an unofficial salary website.
What Is the New Minimum Wage in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased to ₦70,000 per month.
The Federal Government’s Ministry of Labour and Employment had earlier stated that implementation of the new minimum wage would be backdated to April 1, 2024. The Federal Government later confirmed the ₦70,000 minimum wage as part of its wage policy.
The minimum wage is a statutory wage floor. It should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that every government employee receives exactly ₦70,000.
For example, an officer whose approved salary under the applicable salary structure is higher than the minimum wage does not simply receive ₦70,000. Instead, the officer remains subject to the applicable salary structure, grade, step and approved allowances.
This distinction is particularly important when discussing the Nigeria Police salary structure after minimum wage increase.
Nigeria Police Salary Structure Under CONPOSS
The Federal Government approved a review of the Consolidated Police Salary Structure with effect from January 1, 2024. The 2024 CONPOSS schedule contains annual salary figures for police ranks and salary steps.
The following figures are based on the 2024 CONPOSS schedule and show the basic annual salary at Step 1, converted to an approximate monthly amount for easier understanding.
| Police Rank | Approx. Annual Basic Salary at Step 1 | Approx. Monthly Basic Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police Recruit | ₦151,717 | ₦12,643 |
| Police Constable II | ₦622,452 | ₦51,871 |
| Police Constable I | ₦633,962 | ₦52,830 |
| Corporal | ₦654,795 | ₦54,566 |
| Sergeant | ₦711,015 | ₦59,251 |
| Sergeant Major | ₦877,351 | ₦73,113 |
| Inspector | ₦1,232,456 | ₦102,705 |
| Assistant Superintendent of Police II | ₦1,871,734 | ₦155,978 |
| Assistant Superintendent of Police I | ₦2,181,249 | ₦181,771 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police | ₦2,368,143 | ₦197,345 |
| Superintendent of Police | ₦2,523,638 | ₦210,303 |
| Chief Superintendent of Police | ₦3,087,500 | ₦257,292 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Police | ₦3,491,129 | ₦290,927 |
| Commissioner of Police | ₦8,370,600 | ₦697,550 |
| Assistant Inspector-General of Police | ₦6,328,648 | ₦527,387 |
| Deputy Inspector-General of Police | ₦7,426,210 | ₦618,851 |
| Inspector-General of Police | ₦10,251,265 | ₦854,272 |
The figures above are calculated from the annual amounts contained in the 2024 CONPOSS schedule and are presented for explanation. Actual monthly pay can differ because the salary structure contains different steps, and an officer’s total earnings may include approved allowances.
This is why readers should be careful with websites that publish one fixed salary figure for every officer in a particular rank.
How Much Does a Police Constable Earn?
The Police Constable is one of the most commonly searched ranks because it represents the entry-level career path for many people joining the Nigeria Police Force.
Under the 2024 CONPOSS schedule, Police Constable II starts at an annual basic salary of about ₦622,452, which is approximately ₦51,871 per month when divided by 12. Police Constable I starts at about ₦633,962 annually, or approximately ₦52,830 per month.
However, these figures should not be confused with an officer’s complete take-home pay.
An officer may receive approved allowances and other employment benefits depending on the circumstances of the job. Conversely, deductions can also affect the amount ultimately received.
The national minimum wage has also changed the way old salary tables should be interpreted. Many older online articles continue to circulate figures that were published before the latest wage and salary reviews.
Does the ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Mean Every Police Officer Earns ₦70,000?
No.
The ₦70,000 national minimum wage is not the same thing as the CONPOSS salary structure.
A minimum wage establishes a statutory floor, while CONPOSS provides a structured system for police remuneration based on rank and salary step.
This is similar to how a person may have a minimum legal wage but earn more because of their professional position, experience or employment grade.
For police officers, the situation is more complicated because the Force has different ranks and salary steps.
A newly recruited officer, a constable, an inspector and a commissioner do not receive the same basic salary.
It is therefore misleading to say that the new minimum wage means every police officer now earns exactly ₦70,000.
Has the Nigeria Police Salary Structure Been Increased?
Yes, the Consolidated Police Salary Structure was reviewed in 2024.
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission’s 2024 circular on CONPOSS stated that the President approved a review of the Consolidated Police Salary Structure for Federal workers on CONPOSS, with effect from January 1, 2024.
At the same time, the Federal Government subsequently implemented the new national minimum wage framework.
It is important not to combine the two changes as though they were one single salary announcement. The 2024 CONPOSS review and the national minimum wage are related to public-sector remuneration, but they are separate policy matters.
This distinction helps explain why some salary tables found online do not match one another.
What About Police Allowances?
A police officer’s earnings are not limited to basic salary.
Allowances may be paid for specific duties or circumstances, subject to applicable rules and approvals. Federal Public Service Rules describe an allowance as a monetary benefit other than salary that is provided for a specific purpose. They also provide for different categories of allowances and periodic review through appropriate circulars.
Depending on an officer’s circumstances, remuneration may therefore include applicable benefits associated with duties, postings or responsibilities.
Some online articles list very large amounts as though every police officer receives them automatically every month. That is not a safe assumption.
An allowance may depend on the officer’s assignment, eligibility, location, duty or applicable government policy.
This is one reason why basic salary and take-home pay should not be treated as the same thing.
Why Do Police Salary Figures Online Differ?
Anyone searching for the Nigeria Police salary structure will quickly notice that different websites publish different numbers.
There are several reasons for this.
First, salary structures are periodically reviewed.
Second, some websites continue to use older salary tables.
Third, some websites quote basic salary while others combine salary and allowances.
Fourth, a salary structure normally contains different steps. Two officers with the same rank may therefore have different salaries depending on their step.
Finally, some salary tables online are estimates rather than official government documents.
For example, the 2024 CONPOSS schedule contains multiple salary steps for many ranks rather than one fixed amount.
Therefore, anyone applying for the Nigeria Police Force should avoid relying solely on a salary figure found on a blog or social media post.
What Is the Latest Position on Police Salary Reviews?
As of September 2026, the Federal Government is still reviewing police salary, allowances and welfare arrangements.
The Ministry of Police Affairs announced in August 2026 that a Ministerial/Stakeholders Committee was reviewing the Nigeria Police Force salary structure, allowances, insurance, pension-related benefits and other welfare packages.
The committee was also directed to prepare a revised schedule for consideration before its recommendations are submitted to the government.
This is significant because it means readers should be careful with claims that a completely new 2026 police salary structure has already been officially implemented.
The government has confirmed that a review is underway, but the August 2026 announcement describes the work as a review and recommendation process rather than announcing a final new salary table.
Nigeria Police Salary by Career Level
It can be easier to understand police pay by looking at broad career stages.
Entry-Level Officers
Entry-level personnel include recruits and junior police ranks such as constables.
Their salary is generally lower than that of senior officers because the CONPOSS system is rank-based.
Promotion and movement through salary steps can increase an officer’s basic pay.
Mid-Level Officers
Ranks such as inspectors, assistant superintendents and other supervisory positions fall into the middle levels of the police hierarchy.
Their salaries are higher than those of junior ranks, although the exact amount depends on grade and step.
Senior Police Officers
Senior ranks include commissioners, assistant inspectors-general, deputy inspectors-general and the inspector-general.
The 2024 CONPOSS schedule shows significantly higher basic salary levels at these ranks.
However, senior officers should not be compared using basic salary alone because their overall remuneration can involve other approved benefits and allowances.
Does Promotion Increase Police Salary?
Yes, promotion generally has an important effect on an officer’s remuneration.
The Nigeria Police Force continues to use promotion and career progression as part of its personnel management system. In 2026, the Inspector-General of Police approved the promotion of 17,952 junior police officers, including constables promoted to corporal, corporals promoted to sergeant and sergeants promoted to inspector.
Promotion can move an officer into a higher rank and corresponding salary position.
This is why someone who joins the Nigeria Police Force at an entry-level position should not expect to remain on the same salary throughout an entire career.
What Should Applicants Know About Police Salary?
People interested in joining the Nigeria Police Force should look beyond the starting salary.
A police career includes:
- Basic salary
- Rank progression
- Salary steps
- Applicable allowances
- Pension arrangements
- Insurance and welfare provisions
- Training and professional development
- Promotion opportunities
- Other employment benefits
The Nigeria Police Force has also continued to emphasize merit-based promotion and structured career progression as part of its personnel management.
Applicants should also remember that recruitment information and salary information are different matters. Recruitment requirements should be confirmed through official Nigeria Police Force channels rather than relying on unofficial recruitment websites.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nigeria Police Salary
How much is the Nigeria Police salary per month?
There is no single monthly salary for every police officer. Pay depends on rank, grade, step and applicable allowances. The 2024 CONPOSS schedule provides different annual salaries for different ranks and steps.
What is the salary of a Police Constable in Nigeria?
Under the 2024 CONPOSS schedule, Police Constable II has a Step 1 annual basic salary of ₦622,452, equivalent to about ₦51,871 per month when divided by 12. Police Constable I starts at about ₦633,962 annually, or approximately ₦52,830 monthly.
Is the Nigeria Police salary now ₦70,000?
Not exactly. ₦70,000 is the national minimum wage. Police remuneration is determined through CONPOSS and may include approved allowances and other benefits.
What is CONPOSS?
CONPOSS means Consolidated Police Salary Structure. It is the salary framework used for the remuneration of Nigeria Police Force personnel.
Has a new 2026 police salary structure been released?
The Federal Government announced in August 2026 that it was reviewing the police salary structure, allowances and welfare package. The committee was still working toward a revised schedule at that time.
Do police officers receive allowances?
Police officers can receive applicable allowances and other benefits depending on their duties and eligibility. These payments should not automatically be added to basic salary when comparing salary tables. Federal Public Service Rules distinguish allowances from salary.