If you ever thought of joining either the Nigeria Police Force or the Nigerian Army, you might be wondering how much police officers and soldiers earn in Nigeria.
Whether you are an SSCE holder or a University Graduate or someone who is just curious about how much these service men and women earn, well, you are in the right place because this is a complete guide and everything you need to know on police and army salary in Nigeria, which includes their rank structure, their monthly salaries, allowances, and other benefits they enjoy as of 2026.
Overview: Security Forces and Their Salary Frameworks
The Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army are both funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The police are paid through the Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS),, while the army is also paid through the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).
Both Salary structures depend on the officer’s rank, years on the job, and where the officer is posted. As I explained in a previous article, an officer’s posting affects the allowance he or she receives, because those posted to high-risk areas like the northeastern part of the country receive higher allowances than those posted to low-risk areas.
Police and Army Salary in Nigeria
Both the Nigerian Police officers and the Nigerian Army officers are categorized into two groups. The commissioned officers and the non-commissioned officers.
In the Nigerian Police, commissioned officers are degree graduates. They joined the force with their degree certificates or through special programs, while the Nigerian Army comprises commissioned officers who graduated from the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), the Short Service Combatant Course (SSCC), or the Direct Short Service Course (DSSC), all of whom are degree holders.
Read More: Nigeria Army Salary Structure, Allowances
In both the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Army, non-commissioned officers are those who joined the force with their SSCE certificate.
We will be looking at them separately. First, we start with the Nigerian Police, then the Nigerian Army.
Nigerian Police Salary, Ranks, and Monthly Pay
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary |
| Constable | ₦88,000 – ₦95,000 |
| Corporal | ₦104,000 – ₦110,000 |
| Sergeant | ₦115,000 – ₦125,000 |
| Sergeant Major | ₦130,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Inspector of Police | ₦160,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Chief Inspector of Police | ₦210,000 – ₦240,000 |
| Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) | ₦243,000 – ₦280,000 |
| Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) | ₦290,000 – ₦340,000 |
| Superintendent of Police (SP) | ₦350,000 – ₦420,000 |
| Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) | ₦430,000 – ₦500,000 |
| Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) | ₦520,000 – ₦600,000 |
| Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) | ₦620,000 – ₦720,000 |
| Commissioner of Police (CP) | ₦750,000 – ₦850,000 |
| Assistant Inspector General (AIG) | ₦860,000 – ₦920,000 |
| Deputy Inspector General (DIG) | ₦920,000 – ₦938,578 |
| Inspector General of Police (IGP) | ₦938,578+ |
Nigerian Army Salary 2026 Ranks and Monthly Pay
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs):
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary |
| Private Soldier | ₦104,500 |
| Lance Corporal | ₦112,500 |
| Corporal | ₦115,500 |
| Sergeant | ₦125,500 |
| Staff Sergeant | ₦150,500 |
| Warrant Officer | ₦172,500 |
| Master Warrant Officer | ₦210,500 |
| Army Warrant Officer Class I | ₦230,500 |
Commissioned Officers:
| Rank | Estimated Monthly Salary |
| Second Lieutenant | ₦240,500 |
| Lieutenant | ₦280,500 |
| Captain | ₦320,500 |
| Major | ₦380,500 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₦420,500 |
| Colonel | ₦580,500 |
| Brigadier General | ₦750,000 – ₦850,000 |
| Major General | ₦1,150,500 |
| Lieutenant General | ₦1,500,000+ |
| General | ₦2,500,000+ |
Allowances and Benefits: Police vs Army
The allowances and benefits that Nigerian Police Officers receive include Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, Hazard Allowance, Utility Allowance, Uniform Maintenance Allowance, and Medical Benefits.
Read More: NIMASA Salary Structure and Allowance (2026)
The allowances and benefits that the Nigeria Army officers also receives includes the Ration Allowance, food subsidy for soldiers, Hazard/Combat Allowance, Deployment Allowance, UN/AU Mission Pay for peacekeeping missions abroad (e.g., ECOMOG, AMISOM), Housing, barracks accommodation is often provided free of charge, Medical Benefits for both the officer and their immediate nuclear family, Education Benefits, children of military personnel may access subsidized or free education in military schools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which is better, joining the Police or the Army in Nigeria?
It depends on what you want. If you want to see combat and earn more, the Nigerian Army is for you; if you want to work in your community and help maintain law and order, you can join the Nigerian Police Force.
Q. Do Nigerian police officers get a pension
Yes, the Nigerian Police Officers are entitled to a pension after retiring from the force after a specific period of time.
Conclusion
Both the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army offer a stable career path. The Nigerian Army generally pays higher than the Nigerian Police and also has a higher allowance. You can read our more detailed article about the Nigerian Army Salary 2026 and also the DSS ranks and salary structure.
