By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Immigration, and Fire Services Board (CDCFIB) has launched a new promotion exercise aimed at eliminating nepotism and favouritism in paramilitary agencies. The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasized the need for a merit-based promotion process, where officers will be required to take exams and meet a benchmark score to be eligible for promotion.
The new model, conceived in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, will cater to personnel seeking promotion from Controller cadre to Assistant Controller General (ACG), and from ACG to Deputy Controller General (DCG). This reform aims to promote transparency, fairness, and a culture of meritocracy within the paramilitary agencies.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that seniority alone is not enough for promotion, emphasizing that officers must demonstrate competence and leadership skills. He also reiterated the need to shun favouritism, nepotism, and partisanship in service, ensuring that officers are given fair opportunities regardless of their background.
The promotion exercise affects all paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, including the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. With this new approach, the government aims to position paramilitary agencies to play critical roles in national security architecture.
