Tinubu Approves Lifetime Salary Benefits for Senior Retired Interior Officers

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced a new welfare policy granting lifetime salary benefits to senior officers retiring from the rank of Deputy Controller, Comptroller, or Commandant-General and above. The policy, which was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to strengthen officer welfare and institutional performance within the ministry.

Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure on Thursday at the 2025 Ministerial Retreat, where he outlined key achievements of the ministry. According to a statement signed by the NPRO/Head of Corporate Services of the Federal Fire Service, DCF P.O. Abraham, the minister expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for supporting the initiative, stressing that it aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Highlighting recent progress, the minister noted that over 50,000 officers have been promoted in the last two years after the ministry successfully cleared a long-standing backlog of promotions. He emphasized that future promotions will be guided by capacity and performance rather than seniority alone.

In line with efforts to enhance institutional capacity, Tunji-Ojo announced the development of new training manuals and the ongoing construction of a world-class Fire Academy, modeled after top global institutions such as the Arizona Fire Academy. He also underscored the ministry’s commitment to officers’ mental health and called on the Federal Fire Service to pursue private sector partnerships to boost infrastructure, improve service delivery, and modernize firefighting operations nationwide.