In what is being described as a landmark move in Nigeria’s public service history, the federal government has approved a lifetime salary benefit for retiring service chiefs under the Ministry of Interior, a bold welfare policy aimed at recognising and securing the sacrifices of senior officers.
Announcing the development at the ongoing 2025 Ministerial Retreat in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that any officer retiring from the rank of deputy controller, comptroller, or commandant-general would now be entitled to a salary for life.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu graciously approved the policy as part of ongoing reforms to reward diligence, boost morale, and improve institutional performance across security and emergency service agencies.
The Minister said, “This is not just a policy, it is a statement of appreciation, a declaration that service to Nigeria will no longer go unrewarded. Our officers deserve to retire with dignity and pride.”
According to Tunji-Ojo, the announcement is part of a broader package of reforms unveiled during the retreat. The reforms focused on enhancing capacity building, performance, and welfare across the ministry’s agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Fire Service, and Nigerian Correctional Service.
Dr Tunji-Ojo also highlighted one of the ministry’s key achievements under the Tinubu administration: the clearance of a long-standing backlog of promotions affecting tens of thousands of personnel.
“Over 50,000 officers have been promoted within the past two years. No one will be left behind,” he assured.
He emphasised that in the future, performance and capacity will be the criteria for promotion, not tenure or bureaucracy. To this end, the Ministry has developed comprehensive training manuals and standardised professional development pathways to raise the quality of service delivery.
Another notable revelation from the minister is the construction of a world-class Fire Academy, designed to rival top global institutions like the Arizona Fire Academy in the United States. The academy is set to become the premier centre for modern firefighting training and research in West Africa.
“We are building for the future,” the minister said. “We want Nigerian firefighters to be respected locally and globally.”
In an unusual but welcome move, the minister also addressed officers’ mental health, acknowledging the public safety work’s emotional and psychological toll. He pledged increased support and wellness initiatives to help officers cope with stress and trauma.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that the reforms are already yielding results across agencies under the Interior Ministry.
“We are not just making promises; we are delivering results,” he said. “Thanks to Mr President’s unwavering support, we are rewriting the story of public service in Nigeria.”
