By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Force has announced a key administrative update to its documentation process, naming Shehu Alao as the new official signatory for all Police Character Certificates issued nationwide.
The announcement, conveyed through the official X (handle of the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP), follows Alao’s appointment as Commissioner of Police in charge of the Central Criminal Registry at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
It confirmed that Alao will also function as the Central Registrar, a role that places him at the centre of the authentication and issuance of Police Character Certificates—critical documents required for employment, travel, immigration, and other formal processes.
In the official notice, the Force stated: “This is to notify the public that a new Commissioner of Police for the Central Criminal Registry, FCID Annex Alagbon, has been appointed in the person of DCP Shehu Alao, psc, mnips. The new Commissioner of Police will serve as the Central Registrar and signatory to the Police Character Certificate issued by the Nigeria Police.”
The update, which takes immediate effect from April 2026, is accompanied by the release of a revised sample of the Police Character Certificate bearing the new signatory. Authorities emphasised that the change forms part of routine administrative adjustments aimed at strengthening institutional efficiency, improving documentation integrity, and ensuring continuity in service delivery.
Police Character Certificates remain an essential requirement for Nigerians seeking international opportunities, including visa applications, residency permits, and employment verification. The appointment of a new Central Registrar is therefore seen as a proactive step to maintain credibility and standardisation in the issuance process.
The Force urged members of the public, government agencies, foreign missions, and private institutions to take note of the change and ensure that only certificates bearing the updated signatory are recognised going forward.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and service innovation, the Nigeria Police reiterated that administrative updates such as this are part of broader efforts to modernise its operations and align with global best practices in law enforcement documentation and identity verification systems.
