The Nigerian Police Force no doubt is one of the most corrupt police institution in the world… and there seems to be a justification for this - they also have one of the lowest wage structure.

A typical Police Constable currently earns a meagre N10,000 (less than $85USD) a month (compared to their counterparts in the British Metropolitan Police, whose basic salary ranges from £18,873 to £21,693 (see http://www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=38) while a Police Superintendent earns about N40,000 (less than $337USD) a month, excluding accommodation allowance! This is not only unacceptable but a shame on our leadership. The FG spends millions of Naira every day on entertainment (see http://www.naijawire.com/2007/11/19/fg-budgets-n2.3million-daily-for-refreshment/) while legislators renovate single houses for N628 million and N500 million on broadcast contract (See http://www.tribune.com.ng/28112007/edit.html).

As much as we all criticize our police force for being very unprofessional and highly corrupt, we also need to know that they have a family to support. How on earth can anyone survive on N10,000 ($85USD) a month in this present times. Don’t they have house rents, children school fees, utility bills, etc to pay? While this should not be a justfication for corruption, we also need to know that it is not fair on these gentlemen and women of the force. Take for example, a typical banker in Nigeria earns well over N500, 000 a year with several earning way above N1,000,000 a year. Others in the oil and gas industry earn as much.

How then can a police force tasked with ensuring security and maintaining law and order in the country be underpaid? Why would they not fall into temptation of bribery and corruption? Don’t our leaders in high places solicit and collect these bribes as well, in larger proportions? Maybe this is a food for thought before we criticize these individuals.

Good news is however on the way for the police force. The federal government has recently approved a new salary structure for our dear men and women of the Nigerian Police Force. According to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, the modalities and details of the new salary scale are still being worked out.

NB: Yours truely is not justifying or advocating bribery and corruption by any chance. Infact, I have been a victim of such during past visit to Nigeria.

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