The Nigeria Police Force has announced a change in the official signatory for its widely used Police Character Certificate, a document required for background checks, immigration processes and employment screening.
The update was disclosed in a public notice issued through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP).
It indicates that Deputy Commissioner of Police Shehu Alao has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police in charge of the Central Criminal Registry at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
By virtue of the appointment, Alao will now serve as the Central Registrar and authorised signatory for all Police Character Certificates issued nationwide, with the change taking effect from April 2026.
While the announcement appears administrative, it touches on a sensitive aspect of law enforcement documentation, as the Police Character Certificate is an official record confirming whether an individual has a criminal history in Nigeria.
The document is routinely requested by foreign embassies, educational institutions and employers, particularly for visa applications and international travel.
The decision to publicise the change of signatory, rather than treat it as an internal administrative adjustment, is likely aimed at pre-empting disputes over document authenticity and reducing the risk of forgery.
Experts say that making such updates public helps institutions and foreign missions verify valid certificates and avoid confusion where previously issued documents bear a different authorising signature.
The certificate itself is generated through the Central Criminal Registry, which maintains criminal records and biometric data of individuals processed by the police.
In recent years, the process has been partially digitised under POSSAP to improve efficiency and curb fraud, although concerns have persisted over delays, unofficial charges and document verification challenges.
Under Nigerian law, the Police Character Certificate, sometimes referred to as a police clearance certificate, serves as an official confirmation that the holder has no recorded criminal convictions, or provides details where applicable.
It is distinct from a court record and does not replace judicial documentation, but it remains a key requirement in cross-border mobility and formal background checks.
