Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said President Bola Tinubu has ended the age-long problem of career stagnation in Nigeria’s paramilitary services as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen national security.
Speaking at the decoration of newly appointed Deputy Comptroller/Controller/Commandant General (DCGs) across the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Fire Service (FFS), Tunji-Ojo noted that the officers were direct beneficiaries of reforms prioritising merit, welfare, and transparent promotion processes.
He disclosed that since President Tinubu assumed office over two years ago, more than 52,000 officers across all paramilitary services have been promoted. According to him, the elevation of the new DCGs goes beyond promotion, representing presidential appointments anchored on competence and merit.
The minister explained that the examinations for the appointments were independently conducted and assessed by the National Army Resource Centre before ratification by the board, while federal character principles were also applied to ensure inclusiveness. He added that more than 80 per cent of the newly decorated officers had earlier been promoted to Assistant Comptroller-General under the current administration.
Tunji-Ojo commended the president for reforms that restored dignity to the services, including increased salaries, peculiar allowances, approval of life pensions for retired DCGs and CGs, and filling of long-vacant positions.
He charged the newly decorated officers to justify the confidence reposed in them. “To the Immigration Service, you must secure borders. To the Correctional Service, transform centres into hubs of rehabilitation. The Fire Service must establish itself as a leading rescue agency, while the NSCDC should protect every inch of Nigeria’s critical assets,” he said.
The minister also urged the officers to maintain discipline, resist lobbying, and serve as role models, stressing that Nigeria deserves their loyalty, innovation, and commitment. He highlighted ongoing reforms in passport processing, infrastructure upgrades at the Fire Academy, improvements in correctional facilities such as Kuje, and strengthened critical asset protection by the NSCDC.
“Nigeria has given you this responsibility. Show loyalty above anything else, be mentors, and be catalysts of change,” Tunji-Ojo charged.
