By correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal Government has promoted 53,501 paramilitary officers across agencies under the Ministry of Interior within the past 18 months, highlighting its commitment to improving the welfare and professional growth of security personnel.
Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this during a decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Thursday in Abuja.
The paramilitary agencies benefiting from this initiative include the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and NCoS.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the promotions were not acts of favor but deserved rewards for hard work and dedication. He underscored the administration’s priority to ensure timely career advancements as a matter of right.
“In the last 18 months under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, 53,501 officers have been promoted. Within the NCoS alone, 4,704 were promoted last year, and 5,329 this year, making over 10,000 promotions in total,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving officers’ welfare, noting that correctional officers play a critical role in public safety and offender rehabilitation.
“As the bridge to the most vulnerable in society, correctional officers are the strength of the weakest, the voice of the voiceless, and the hope of the hopeless,” he said, praising their sacrifices and dedication.
He also urged officers to join the government in combating indiscipline and corruption within the service, emphasizing collective responsibility in maintaining professionalism.
NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa, congratulated the promoted officers, describing the exercise as a testament to merit and dedication. He thanked the Minister of Interior and the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) for their support in making the promotions possible.
“This milestone will motivate officers to rise to the challenges of modern corrections and custodial management,” Nababa said.
