Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has officially declared the promotion of upwards of 27,000 personnel spanning Nigeria’s four distinct paramilitary agencies.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed this in a statement via his official X handle on Thursday, October 22, following a meeting of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
He said the board also approved a comprehensive healthcare policy framework to improve the welfare and well-being of personnel across the services.
“In a historic step to boost morale and recognize meritorious service, the Board approved the promotion of over 27,000 officers across our four services,” the minister said.
“To further support our workforce, we validated a comprehensive healthcare policy framework designed to promote the health, fitness, and overall well-being of all officers and men,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s plan to recruit 120,000 young Nigerians into the paramilitary services during President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure.
He said the recruitment process for the first batch of 30,000 candidates had progressed, with the application portal scheduled to open from October 28 to November 13, 2026, for candidates who had reached the oral interview stage.
“On recruitment, we reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enlist 120,000 young Nigerians into our paramilitary services over our first tenure,” he said.
“The process for the first tranche of 30,000 candidates has advanced, with the portal opening from 28th October to 13th November 2026 for those who have reached the oral interview stage,” the minister added.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the latest exercise brings the total number of promotions across paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior since Tinubu assumed office to more than 100,000.
He said more than 32,000 officers were promoted in 2023, over 20,000 in 2024 and more than 24,000 in 2025, alongside the latest promotions approved in 2026.
The minister said the sustained promotions reflected the administration’s commitment to addressing career stagnation and building a motivated and disciplined workforce.
“In the Ministry of Interior, this sustained record reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda’s unwavering commitment to ending career stagnation and building a well-motivated, disciplined, and fit workforce capable of discharging its constitutional responsibilities effectively,” he said.
What You Should Know
The Ministry of Interior has cleared more than 27,000 personnel across the country’s four paramilitary services for promotion, bringing the total number of promoted officers under the current administration past the 100,000 mark. Alongside these promotions, a fresh healthcare policy framework was approved to ensure better medical support and fitness for officers.
- Positive Impact: This move helps clear long-standing career stagnation, boosts workplace morale, and improves overall personnel welfare and productivity across Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies.
- Potential Concerns: While staff motivation increases, large-scale administrative promotions require sustained government funding and structural adjustments to maintain operational efficiency and payroll stability.
