The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, has said the Commission will not request employment waivers or seek replacement slots in its recruitment processes.
Argungu made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mr Oladele Kayode. He said the visit aimed to foster inter-agency collaboration ahead of the planned recruitment into the PSC Cadet Academy and the Commission’s general staffing exercise.
According to the PSC Chairman, the Commission is committed to transparent, accountable, and equitable recruitment, and will not engage in waiver requests. “Waivers are discretionary, and where there is discretion, there is room for corruption,” he said.
He stressed the Commission’s resolve to uphold constitutional and statutory principles in the recruitment process, with a strong emphasis on equity, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Argungu described the FCC as a vital partner in promoting equitable representation in federal institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force, and underscored the importance of adhering to federal character principles.
“We are here to appeal for your cooperation. Gender, local government areas, states, and geopolitical zones must all be considered to ensure equity, not just equality. Equality without fairness amounts to injustice,” he stated.
The PSC Chairman also warned against corrupt practices in recruitment, such as the sale of employment slots, vowing to take decisive action against perpetrators.
“Anyone found selling recruitment slots will be arrested and prosecuted. We will investigate such acts and ensure transparency. Recruitment should not be conducted in secrecy or behind closed doors,” he said.
He added that all future recruitment exercises would be widely advertised in national newspapers and online platforms to guarantee equal access for all qualified Nigerians.
In his response, the Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Mr Oladele Kayode, clarified that the FCC does not initiate waivers but merely responds to requests submitted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“It is not the FCC that grants waivers arbitrarily. If your Commission chooses not to request waivers and instead advertises vacancies to ensure inclusiveness, we will fully support you,” Kayode said.
He commended the PSC’s position on transparency and praised the meeting as a significant step towards strengthening inter-agency cooperation and promoting national unity.
Kayode reaffirmed the importance of reflecting federal character in public institutions, particularly in security agencies, to foster public trust and enhance social cohesion.
“A diverse and inclusive police force is better positioned to build public confidence, deter insecurity, and serve all citizens without bias,” he said.
He further noted that fairness, equity, and balanced representation are not only constitutional imperatives but also strategic tools for national peace and stability.
Reiterating the FCC’s readiness to work closely with the PSC, Kayode expressed support for integrating federal character principles in police recruitment, training, and promotion processes.
“The FCC is open to strategic partnerships that institutionalise equity without compromising merit. Through joint frameworks, we can support compliance, transparency, and capacity building, especially in sensitive sectors such as law enforcement,” he said.
He commended the PSC’s leadership for its commitment to service and called for sustained collaboration to build inclusive institutions that reflect Nigeria’s diversity and uphold justice.
