Nigerian Police Launch N5.5 Million ‘Keke’ Loan Scheme

By Achimi Muktar

In a bold move to boost the financial stability of its personnel, the Nigerian Police Force has unveiled a N5.5 million tricycle loan scheme, allowing officers to purchase commercial tricycles—popularly known as Keke—through an installment plan. This initiative, part of a broader welfare programme under Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, aims to provide officers with an alternative source of income.

According to a police wireless message dated March 12, 2025, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) overseeing the Police Cooperative Society in Lagos informed all police commands and departments about the scheme, facilitated through the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multi-Purpose Society Ltd.

The message introduced Bulk Stalker Engineering Limited as the official supplier of various tricycle models, including trike taxis, tricycle trucks, single-cabin TTI pickups, and even tricycle ambulances. Officers interested in the loan scheme can acquire a tricycle for N5.5 million, with a monthly deduction of N90,000 over a repayment period of 60 months. The repayments will be automatically deducted from salaries via the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Application forms for the scheme will be made available at police cooperative shops nationwide, making it accessible to interested officers.

With Keke playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s transport system, the initiative could provide police personnel with an opportunity to earn passive income. However, questions linger—will officers have the time to manage commercial tricycles while on duty, or is this the government’s subtle way of admitting that police salaries are inadequate?