The Federal Government has announced plans to commence screening and examinations for senior cadre officers in the nation’s paramilitary services to address existing vacancies at top management levels.
The Chairman of the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire and Immigration Service Board and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this during a media briefing following the board’s meeting in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo stated that the vacancies exist at senior managerial levels across the four paramilitary agencies, the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
To fill the gaps, he said officers below the ranks of Deputy Controllers and Assistant Controllers will be considered for promotion to the positions within the next month.
Represented by the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Engineer Jaji Abdulganiyu, the minister emphasised that a rigorous screening exercise would be conducted, followed by an examination to select eligible officers for the key positions.
The chairman of the Board and Minister of Interior, represented by the Controller-general of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Abdulganiyu Jaji, shared this update with journalists after a closed-door meeting.
He pointed out that many Services currently lack Deputy Controller Generals (DCGs) and Assistant Controller Generals (ACGs), with officers temporarily covering these roles without formal appointments.
He said, “In some services, officers are merely covering duties, which is not ideal,” Abdulganiyu explained. “As a result, the Board has decided that these paramilitary positions will be filled starting Monday, March 9. Accreditation of officers will take place from March 9 to March 11, with the entire process set to conclude by the end of March.”
The Minister further clarified that the selection process for these key positions will be structured and include screening, written exams, and oral interviews.
He emphasised that the process would be conducted fairly and in alignment with the federal character principle.
Additionally, Jaji announced that the Board has approved a handbook to guide its operations, which will soon be circulated to all services and made publicly available.
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The Board also acknowledged that many ACG positions are currently held on a covering-duty basis, a situation they intend to regularise.
He added that to facilitate this, accreditation for promotion of eligible officers will occur on the slated date.
Moreover, the Board ratified the 2024 promotion exercises, confirming personnel advancements based on merit. Though specific numbers were not revealed, the process, according to Engr Jaji, will involve eligibility screening, written exams, and oral assessments.
He further explained that a waiver has also been granted, allowing officers with three years at their current rank to sit for promotional exams, instead of the usual four-year requirement.
“These promotions are strictly internal and based on merit. Only officers who meet the necessary criteria will be considered,” Abdulganiyu Jaji stated.
