Federal Government Vows To Revolutionize Promotion Processes In Paramilitary Agencies

Scope 01 Apr 2025

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Revamping Promotion Exercises in Nigeria's Paramilitary Agencies

Naija News brings you the latest update on a groundbreaking decision by the Federal Government. The promotion exercise scheduled for 2025 across all paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior will not be business as usual. This includes the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. In simpler terms, the government is taking bold steps to ensure that promotions are based on merit rather than favoritism or nepotism.

Minister Tunji-Ojo’s Announcement

The Chairman of the Board and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, addressed personnel during a recent event. His message was clear: the days of unfair promotions are over. The minister emphasized the importance of eliminating favoritism and ensuring that promotions are based on competence and hard work. This is a significant move aimed at fostering a culture of fairness and transparency within the paramilitary agencies.

Joining Minister Tunji-Ojo at the event were key figures such as the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, CDCFIB Secretary Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd), and the principal heads of various agencies. Sylvester Ndidi from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap from the Nigeria Immigration Service, Engr Abdulganiyu Olola Jaji from the Federal Fire Service, and Ahmed Abubakar Audi from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were all present. This gathering highlights the collective commitment to reform and improvement.

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Collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre

Tunji-Ojo announced a newly conceived collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. This partnership will revolutionize the promotion process for personnel seeking to advance from the Controller cadre to Assistant Controller General (ACG) and from ACG to Deputy Controller General (DCG). The goal is to establish a merit-based system where officers must pass exams and achieve a benchmark score to qualify for promotion.

The minister explained that this reform is crucial for promoting a culture of meritocracy. He stressed that if seniority were the sole criterion for promotion, there would be no need for examinations. However, leadership roles require competence and responsibility. As Tunji-Ojo put it, "If you ever move into the rank of an ACG or DCG, that is a serious leadership responsibility. You should be competent enough to be a presidential appointee."

A Transparent and Fair System

The new model leverages the expertise of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, known for its excellence in research, education, training, and human capacity development. This ensures that the system is not only transparent but also fair, giving every officer an equal opportunity to advance based on their abilities. Minister Tunji-Ojo made it clear that officers who have spent decades in service but cannot pass exams will not be promoted. He emphasized, "We want merit because it is criminal for us to expect you to give what you don’t have."

Commitment to National Security

Minister Tunji-Ojo reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that paramilitary agencies play critical roles in the national security architecture. He stated, "As a government, for us to perform our responsibilities to the best, we must ensure that the best hands occupy positions of responsibility." This commitment extends beyond the promotion process, aiming to create a motivated and productive workforce capable of safeguarding the nation.

Regarding the elimination of favoritism and partisanship, the minister was firm. He declared, "We must kill favouritism, nepotism, partisanship, and selfishness. What is important to us as a nation is for a son of a nobody to get to the highest level without knowing anybody." This vision of inclusivity and fairness is a step toward a more equitable society where everyone has a fair shot at success.

In conclusion, the Federal Government's decision to revamp promotion exercises in paramilitary agencies is a bold step toward fostering a culture of meritocracy and transparency. By partnering with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and eliminating favoritism, the government is paving the way for a more competent and motivated workforce ready to tackle the challenges of national security.