More than 27,600 personnel across four federal paramilitary agencies have been promoted to various ranks following the approval of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
The Minister of Interior and chairman of the board, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the promotion of 27,624 officers in Abuja on Thursday after a board meeting.
He said the decisions formed part of ongoing reforms in the Ministry of Interior and reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of personnel, particularly through promotions and the payment of relevant allowances.
Tunji-Ojo said the board considered issues relating to promotion, staff welfare and discipline in the Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“In keeping with the statutory responsibility of the Board in relation with the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Fire Service, and, of course, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Board considered promotion and welfare as well as disciplinary issues,” he said.
The minister disclosed that the board also considered and approved a healthcare policy framework designed to promote the fitness and wellbeing of officers across the four agencies.
According to him, improving personnel welfare would help boost morale and enable officers to carry out their responsibilities more effectively.
“Promotion at various ranks were passed and approved by the board this afternoon. And I’m glad to say that a total of 27,624 officers have been promoted to different ranks,” Tunji-Ojo said.
Giving a breakdown of the promotions, he said the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had the highest number, with 17,343 personnel promoted.
The Nigeria Correctional Service accounted for 4,601 promotions, while 4,097 officers were promoted in the Nigeria Immigration Service. Another 1,583 personnel of the Federal Fire Service also benefited from the exercise.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as unprecedented and commended Tinubu for prioritising the welfare of personnel serving in the agencies.
He also said the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 120,000 additional personnel to strengthen the operational capacity of the paramilitary services.
According to the minister, the first batch of 30,000 recruits was expected to complete the process in due course.
He announced that the recruitment portal for successful candidates would open on October 28. The candidates would also be required to undergo drug tests through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in their respective states before receiving their appointment letters.
The promotion exercise and planned recruitment are part of the government’s stated efforts to strengthen staffing and improve welfare across the four agencies responsible for immigration control, correctional services, civil defence and fire protection.
