Retired Paramilitary Chiefs Applaud Tinubu Over Lifetime Salary Approval

Retired senior officers from key paramilitary agencies have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the approval of a lifetime salary package for top-ranking officials who have exited active service.

According to credible media reports, the policy, approved in 2025, applies to former Controller Generals, Commandant Generals, Comptroller Generals, as well as their deputies across major paramilitary institutions. Beneficiaries are drawn from agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The retired officers made their position known during a visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja, where they expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the enhanced welfare initiative.

Speaking on behalf of the group, former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Chukwura Udeh, described the development as long overdue, noting that the issue had lingered unresolved through multiple administrations. He stated that the approval has now brought a sense of relief and recognition to officers who dedicated years of service to the nation.

In his remarks, Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of security and paramilitary personnel, stressing that national service must be rewarded with adequate post-retirement support. He maintained that officers who have spent decades in uniform should not face hardship in their later years.

The minister further disclosed that reforms are ongoing to improve service conditions, including the introduction of clearer career progression structures. He added that longstanding promotion delays and backlogs have been addressed, with promotion examinations conducted across agencies to ensure fairness and timely advancement.

Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the broader objective is to restore dignity and pride within the uniformed services, assuring that retired personnel deserve stability and security after years of dedicated service.

Among those present at the meeting were former Commandant General of the NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana, and former Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, alongside other retired senior officers.