FG adopts new promotion system to ensure fairness in paramilitary ranks
By Ukpono Ukpong
The Federal Government has introduced a new promotion system for paramilitary agencies to ensure fairness and eliminate nepotism in leadership appointments.
This was revealed by Civil Defence, Correctional, Immigration, and Fire Services Board (CDCFIB), during the commencement of the 2025 promotion exercise.
The Chairman of the Board and Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while addressing personnel of various paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, said the 2025 promotion exercise is “business unusual” as it comes with a newly conceived collaboration between the Ministry and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
According to the Minister, the initiative is aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring that promotions are strictly merit-based.
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The paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior include the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Speaking further, Tunji-Ojo explained that the new model will apply to officers seeking promotion from the Controller cadre to Assistant Controller General (ACG) and from ACG to Deputy Controller General (DCG), adding that this shift aims to foster competence and leadership capability in higher-ranking officers.
He stressed that the reform was necessary to create a more merit-based promotion process where officers must take an exam and meet a benchmark score before being considered for advancement.
“If seniority is the only condition for appointment, there will be no reason for examination. If you ever move into the rank of an ACG or DCG, that is a serious leadership responsibility,” he said.
The Minister further stated that officers at the highest levels should be competent enough to be considered for presidential appointments.
“As a DCG, you should be competent enough to be a presidential appointee. Going forward, we will be more diligent in our operations at the Board level.”
He added that the new collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre was designed to ensure fairness in the process. The Centre’s expertise in research, education, training, and human capacity development will be leveraged to strengthen transparency in paramilitary promotions.
Speaking on the importance of meritocracy, Tunji-Ojo noted that the system would help create a more motivated and productive workforce. He warned that officers who fail to meet the set standards would not be promoted.
“If you have spent 30-something years in service, and yet you cannot pass an exam, trust me, you will not be appointed. We want merit because it is criminal for us to expect you to give what you don’t have.”
The Minister reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to repositioning paramilitary agencies to play critical roles in national security.
“We are here to do what the president has commissioned us to do, and that is to ensure that the paramilitary agencies are positioned to play critical roles in national security architecture.”
He further emphasized that only the most qualified officers would be considered for leadership roles.
“As a government, for us to perform our responsibilities to the best, we must ensure that the best hands occupy positions of responsibility.”
Addressing concerns about favouritism in promotions, Tunji-Ojo assured that the government would not tolerate nepotism, partisanship, or selfish interests in leadership appointments. He stated that every officer, regardless of background, must be given a fair opportunity to rise through the ranks.
“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,” he said.
