Civil Defence CG Clarifies Authority Over Payment Of Salary, Promotion Arrears, Emoluments

* Says payments handled by Presidential committee on arrears 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has clarified that the Commandant General does not have the authority to approve or disburse salary arrears, promotion arrears or other emoluments for personnel of the Corps.

The clarification follows reports published by some online media platforms alleging non-payment of promotion arrears and withholding of welfare funds by the leadership of the Corps.

In a statement issued by the Corps national spokesperson, ACC Afolabi Babawale on Thursday, the NSCDC explained that the responsibility for the payment of arrears rests exclusively with the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant General of the Federation, and not with the management of the Corps.

The statement said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commandant General does not control the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears or other emoluments”.

The Corps described the reports as false and misleading, adding that they were designed to misinform the public and create unnecessary tension within the service.

Providing further clarification, the Civil Defence Corps noted that upon assumption of office in 2021, the current leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears dating back to 2015. It stated that through sustained engagement with relevant government agencies, the Corps was able to facilitate the payment of arrears covering 2015 to 2019, benefiting over 37,000 personnel.

On the status of the 2020–2022 arrears, the Corps disclosed that the necessary applications had been made to the Presidential Committee on Arrears and that approval for payment had already been granted. According to the statement, the payment schedule is currently with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation awaiting release to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for disbursement.

The statement added that arrears for 2023–2024 are yet to receive presidential approval and budgetary release, stressing that government funds cannot be disbursed outside established procedures.

Afolabi Babawale further explained that the 2025 promotion examination results were released in December 2025 and that the process of capturing the arrears in the appropriate budget cycle is ongoing.

Reaffirming its commitment to personnel welfare, Prof Ababakar Ahmed Audi, according to the statement, said he remains focused on transparency and accountability, and will continue to engage relevant authorities to ensure the payment of outstanding entitlements.

The Corps urged the public and the media to disregard unverified reports and to always seek clarification through official channels.