The federal government has warned against continued lobbying and favouritism in the process of promotion within Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies.
Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo gave the warning and emphasised that all career advancements will now be based strictly on merit, competence, and seniority.
Tunji-Ojo stated this during the decoration of 16 newly appointed Deputy Comptrollers-General, Deputy Commandants-General, and Deputy Controllers-General, across the four paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
The Minister declared that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has dismantled the long-standing culture of stagnation, favouritism, and lobbying for promotion in the paramilitary services, ushering in a new era where merit, competence and seniority define career progression.
“The era of “who you know” is over,” warning officers not to seek political shortcuts, “If you want this rank, don’t lobby, work hard and earn it,” Tunji-Ojo maintained.
The newly decorated officers emerged from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), institutions often haunted by delayed promotions and vacant leadership seats.
Tunji-Ojo described the ceremony as a landmark moment in the ongoing structural reform of Nigeria’s paramilitary institutions, noting that the latest batch of senior appointments reflects the administration’s unwavering resolve to end systemic stagnation that had for years crippled morale and denied deserving officers their rightful advancement.
“When we assumed office, stagnation was the order of the day. Many competent and knowledgeable officers retired without ever having the opportunity to be recognised or to rise to the level they truly earned,” the Minister said.
He added that President Tinubu changed that story. “This government came in to break that jinx, and today we’re seeing the results,” he stated.
The minister emphasised that 80 percent of the officers being decorated had previously been elevated to Assistant Comptrollers, Commandants, or Controllers-General under the Tinubu administration.
“There is no nepotism here. You didn’t get here by lobbying or connection. You got here because you are the best, and you earned it. Promotions are now based strictly on seniority, competence, and performance in standardised exams marked by independent military examiners,” he maintained.
The Minister lauded Tinubu for giving unprecedented attention to the welfare of paramilitary officers, citing the approval of salary increases, the introduction of peculiar allowances, and the most recent policy of ‘salary for life’ for retired CGs and DCGs.
“This is not about politics. It’s about legacy. It’s about restoring dignity to the uniform and making sure that when you serve your country, your country takes care of you, in service and after,” he stressed.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo challenged the newly decorated officers to not just wear their new ranks, but to embody them by becoming role models for those coming behind.
“You are no longer just officers, you are pacesetters. The eyes of the Services are on you. The future of these institutions will, in part, be shaped by your discipline, your decisions, and your example. Do not disappoint Mr. President. Do not disappoint this country,” he said.
Earlier, the secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Board (CDCFIB), Major General A.M. Jibril (Rtd) gave the breakdown the appointees with 6 from NIS, 3 from NSCDC, 4 from NCoS and three from Federal Fire Service.
He commended the officers for their dedication and urged them to uphold professionalism, discipline and integrity in their new roles.
