Tinubu Breaks Decades of Career Stagnation in Paramilitary Services – Interior Minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ending decades of career stagnation within Nigeria’s paramilitary services through reforms anchored on merit, welfare, and transparency.

Speaking in Abuja during the decoration of newly appointed senior officers across the four agencies under the ministry — the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Fire Service (FFS) — the minister said the promotions reflected competence and integrity.

According to him, the new ranks, which include Deputy Comptroller Generals, Deputy Controller Generals, and Deputy Commandant Generals, were not merely promotions but presidential appointments based on performance and fairness.

“Your appointment is not courtesy. If you are good enough to be a DCG, then you are good enough to be a CG,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized.


He revealed that the officers’ examinations were independently conducted by the National Army Resource Centre and later ratified by the appropriate board. While federal character was applied to ensure inclusiveness, merit and seniority remained the guiding principles.

The minister commended President Tinubu for reforms that have restored dignity to the services, noting that more than 52,000 officers have been promoted in just two years, reversing years of irregular promotions that forced many competent officers into premature retirement.

Tunji-Ojo highlighted welfare improvements, including increased salaries, peculiar allowances, eradication of career stagnation, and approval of life pensions for retired DCGs and CGs.

He also tasked the agencies with renewed responsibility:

Immigration Service – secure and strengthen border governance.

Correctional Service – transform prisons into centres of rehabilitation.

Fire Service – evolve into a frontline rescue agency.

NSCDC – safeguard critical national assets.


“The time to rise to your responsibility is not tomorrow. It began yesterday. Be catalysts of change and show that the government did not make a mistake in entrusting you with these mandates,” he urged.


The minister also underscored the fairness of the promotion system, recalling how a female officer narrowly missed promotion in the past by just 0.25 marks, but has now been elevated based on merit.

Representing the newly decorated officers, Dr. Ngozi Odikpo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his trust and vision, pledging that they would serve Nigeria with dedication, discipline, and integrity.

She also lauded the Minister of Interior for his leadership and the CGs of the various services for their mentorship, assuring Nigerians that the new appointees would uphold the highest standards of service.

Source: NAN