As the primary law enforcement agency of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) enforces the law, protects lives, protects property, and combats crime in the federation. The NPF is one of the largest police organizations in Africa and is structurally disciplined, coordinated, and accountable.
NPF’s command structure stems from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) being the head of the force.
Insights into the organizational structure and command system of the NPF are aided by the presence of rank insignia on the shoulders of all officers.
Insignia confer authority and responsibility and may also denote the number of years of service.
Whether you want to determine the Nigeria Police Force rank structure and hierarchy for job application purposes, prepare for the Police Examination, conduct research for an assignment, or simply satisfy your curiosity, this guide presents the contemporary list of ranks and their symbols as well as the rank responsibilities in the Nigeria Police Force.
Overview of the Nigeria Police Force
The Nigeria Police Force was created in 1930 as a combination of the Northern and Southern Police Forces of the colonial era.
The Force presently comprises several units and commands and is headed by an Inspector General of Police.
The Nigeria Police Force was established to prevent and combat crime and maintain law and order in the country.
The Force is broadly divided into:
- Commissioned Officers
- Senior Police Officers
- Inspectorate Cadre
- Rank and File (Junior Officers)
Each category has distinct responsibilities and promotion requirements.
Complete List of Nigeria Police Ranks (Highest to Lowest)
The official order of ranks in the Nigeria Police Force is:
- Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
- Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG)
- Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG)
- Commissioner of Police (CP)
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)
- Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)
- Superintendent of Police (SP)
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
- Assistant Superintendent of Police I (ASP I)
- Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II)
- Inspector of Police
- Sergeant Major
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Constable
- Police Recruit (Under Training)
Commissioned Officers (Senior Officers)
The commissioned officer is the highest rank of police personnel. They are gazetted officers of the force in leadership and command posts, responsible for strategic decision-making, policy execution and overall command of police operations.
They join the service through the Nigeria Police Academy or as Cadet Assistant Superintendents.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | IGP |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦711,498 |
| Current IGP | Kayode Egbetokun (appointed 2023) |
The Inspector General of Police is the highest of the Nigeria Police Force and the head of the entire institution. The IGP is the administrator and operator of the NPF and reports directly to the President of Nigeria. The IGP is appointed by the President and ratified by the Senate
Symbol (Insignia): Crossed tipstaffs, two stars and the Nigerian coat of arms, wrapped by a laurel wreath, draped over the shoulder.
Duties: Head of the Nigeria Police Force; strategic leadership; policy creation; reports to the President; appoints top officials.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | DIG |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦546,573 |
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, the second highest position to the IGP, is the NPF’s second highest position. There are multiple DIGs, each one heading one of the NPF’s seven administrative departments. A DIG can be IGP in the absence of the IGP.
Symbol (Insignia) Crossed tipstaffs One star and the Nigerian coat of arms In a laurel wreath.
Duties: Head of administrative departments; assistant to the IGP; strategic planning; deputy for the IGP as necessary.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | AIG |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦499,752 |
The third highest position in the NPF is the Assistant Inspector-General of Police who reports to the DIGs. AIGs are responsible for the zonal commands of the NPF. The Police Service Commission, in 2025, promoted seven officers to AIG and 20 Commissioners of Police to AIG.
Symbol (Insignia) : Crossed tipstaffs and Coat of Arms of Nigeria, in laurel wreath. The emblem is also described in some texts as a coat of arms and a star.
Duties: Oversee Commissioners of Police. Head Zonal Commands. Report to DIGs.
Commissioner of Police (CP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | CP |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦302,970 |
The Commissioner of Police is the fourth highest level and heads a state command The CP is the most senior police officer in a state and he reports to the AIG who is in charge of that zone. In 2025 the Police Service Commission elevated 13 Deputy Commissioners to CP.
Symbol (Insignia) Nigerian coat of arms with crossed tipstaffs in a laurel wreath.
Duties: Responsible for state police commands; oversight of state operations; reporting to AIGs.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | DCP |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦278,853 |
The Deputy Commissioner of Police assists the CP in running state police operations. DCPs are fifth in the hierarchy and report to the CP. In 2025, 30 Assistant Commissioners were promoted to DCP.
Symbol (Insignia): Crossed tipstaffs and one star, in a laurel wreath. Another source describes it as a laurel worn over the shoulder.
Duties: Assisting the CP; managing specific operational areas; supervising Assistant Commissioners.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | ACP |
| Category | Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦212,938 |
The Assistant Commissioner of Police supervises departmental and divisional operations. ACPs are responsible for divisional commands and report to DCPs. In 2025, 51 Chief Superintendents were promoted to ACP.
Symbol (Insignia): Crossed tipstaffs, in a laurel wreath. Another source describes it as a laurel worn on the chest.
Duties: Commanding divisional operations; supervising Chief Superintendents; reporting to DCPs.
Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | CSP |
| Category | Senior Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦199,724 |
The Chief Superintendent of Police is the highest rank among senior non-commissioned officers. CSPs are in charge of area commands and report to ACPs.
Symbol (Insignia): Nigerian coat of arms and one star. Another source describes it as a crown and a star, worn on the chest.
Duties: Commanding area commands; supervising Superintendents; reporting to ACPs.
Superintendent of Police (SP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | SP |
| Category | Senior Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦172,089 |
The Superintendent of Police oversees tactical units or stations. SPs are key operational commanders in the force.
Symbol (Insignia): Nigerian coat of arms.
Duties: Commanding tactical units or police stations; supervising Deputy Superintendents.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | DSP |
| Category | Senior Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | ₦170,400 |
The Deputy Superintendent of Police assists Superintendents in operations.
Symbol (Insignia): Three stars arranged vertically.
Duties: Assisting SPs; supervising Assistant Superintendents; operational command.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | ASP |
| Category | Senior Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Assistant Superintendent of Police is the entry-level rank for graduate officer cadets. In September 2025, the Anambra State Police Command decorated 89 newly-promoted inspectors to the rank of ASP, symbolising their transition into the Officer Cadre.
Symbol (Insignia): Data not specified in available sources.
Duties: Entry-level officer duties; transitioning from non-commissioned to commissioned status.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are enlisted personnel who form the backbone of the Nigeria Police Force. They carry out the day-to-day operational duties, enforce laws, and serve as the link between commissioned officers and junior ranks.
Inspector of Police (IP)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | IP |
| Category | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Inspector of Police is the most senior non-commissioned rank and serves as a bridge between the officer corps and the rank-and-file.
Symbol (Insignia): Data not specified in available sources.
Duties: Supervising Sergeants and junior officers; report writing; station-level command.
Sergeant Major (SM)
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | SM |
| Category | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Sergeant Major is a senior non-commissioned officer rank.
Symbol (Insignia): Data not specified in available sources.
Duties: Senior supervisory duties; training and discipline of junior ranks.
Sergeant
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | Sgt |
| Category | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Sergeant is a middle-level non-commissioned officer rank.
Symbol (Insignia): Data not specified in available sources.
Duties: Supervising Corporals and Constables; operational duties.
Corporal
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | Cpl |
| Category | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Corporal is a junior non-commissioned officer rank.
Symbol (Insignia): Two chevrons.
Duties: Supervising Constables; performing operational duties.
Constable
| Attribute | Detail |
| Abbreviation | – |
| Category | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| Monthly Salary | Data not available |
The Constable is the entry-level rank in the Nigeria Police Force. It is the rank at which most officers begin their careers. The Constable rank has two grades.
Symbol (Insignia): A single red downward-pointing arrowhead symbol. Some sources indicate no insignia at the lowest level.
Duties: Basic policing duties; patrol; crime prevention; law enforcement.
Summary Table: All Police Ranks in Nigeria 2025
| S/N | Rank | Abbreviation | Category | Monthly Salary (₦) | Key Symbol |
| 1 | Inspector-General of Police | IGP | Commissioned | ₦711,498 | Crossed tipstaffs, two stars, coat of arms, laurel |
| 2 | Deputy Inspector-General of Police | DIG | Commissioned | ₦546,573 | Crossed tipstaffs, one star, coat of arms, laurel |
| 3 | Assistant Inspector-General of Police | AIG | Commissioned | ₦499,752 | Crossed tipstaffs, coat of arms, laurel |
| 4 | Commissioner of Police | CP | Commissioned | ₦302,970 | Crossed tipstaffs, coat of arms, laurel |
| 5 | Deputy Commissioner of Police | DCP | Commissioned | ₦278,853 | Crossed tipstaffs, one star, laurel |
| 6 | Assistant Commissioner of Police | ACP | Commissioned | ₦212,938 | Crossed tipstaffs, laurel |
| 7 | Chief Superintendent of Police | CSP | Senior NCO | ₦199,724 | Coat of arms, one star |
| 8 | Superintendent of Police | SP | Senior NCO | ₦172,089 | Coat of arms |
| 9 | Deputy Superintendent of Police | DSP | Senior NCO | ₦170,400 | Three stars arranged vertically |
| 10 | Assistant Superintendent of Police | ASP | Senior NCO | – | – |
| 11 | Inspector of Police | IP | NCO | – | – |
| 12 | Sergeant Major | SM | NCO | – | – |
| 13 | Sergeant | Sgt | NCO | – | – |
| 14 | Corporal | Cpl | NCO | – | Two chevrons |
| 15 | Constable | – | NCO | – | Red downward-pointing arrowhead |
Source: Compiled from Naijapedia, Withinnigeria, Okaynews, and Legit.ng.
Entry Levels into the Nigeria Police Force
There are four entry levels into the Nigeria Police Force:
| Entry Level | Rank Upon Entry |
| Constable | Constable |
| Cadet Inspector | Inspector of Police |
| Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police | Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) |
| Nigeria Police Academy Degree Programme | ASP (upon graduation) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many ranks are in the Nigeria Police Force?
A: The Nigeria Police Force has 16 ranks that make up the Commissioned officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Junior Non Commissioned Officers.
Q2: What is the highest rank in the Nigerian Police?
A: The highest rank is the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Q3: What is the lowest rank in the Nigerian Police?
A: The lowest rank is Constable.
Q4: What is the symbol of the Inspector-General of Police?
A: The symbol of the IGP is a coat of arms of Nigeria, crossing tip staffs and additional 2 stars all within a laurel wreath that is used as a shoulder insignia.
Q5: What is the symbol of a Corporal in the Nigerian Police?
A: A Corporal’s symbol is two chevrons
Q6: What is the symbol of a Constable?
A: A Constable’s symbol is a single red downward-pointing arrowhead
Q7: How much does the Inspector-General of Police earn monthly?
A: The IGP earns approximately ₦711,498 per month.
Q8: Are the ranks of supernumerary police the same as regular police?
A: Yes, their badges of ranks are the same.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
FCSC Recruitment Portal 2026: Shortlist, Salary & How to Apply
DSS Nigeria 2026: Recruitment, Salary, Portal & Full Agency Guide
Federal Fire Service Recruitment 2026: Portal, Shortlist, Salary & How to Apply
OPay Customer Care: Complete Guide to Reaching Support in Nigeria
FCMB: Your Complete Banking Guide for 2026
FRSC Plate Number Verification in Nigeria: Complete 2026 Guide