Some officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have raised concerns over the non-payment of promotion arrears spanning 2022 to 2024, accusing the office of the Commandant-General of allegedly withholding funds running into billions of naira.
Affected personnel, who spoke to Lagos Eye News on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said despite being promoted and assuming higher responsibilities, their corresponding financial entitlements have not been paid for several years.
According to the officers, repeated internal complaints have yielded no results, while explanations from authorities remain unclear. “We were promoted, posted, and expected to perform at higher levels, yet our arrears have not been paid since 2022,” one officer said.
Some personnel further alleged that funds earmarked for other statutory purposes, including election-related duties carried out by the corps, were allegedly diverted. They claimed the situation has worsened morale across commands nationwide, with junior and senior officers alike feeling short-changed.
A senior officer familiar with the matter said the unpaid arrears contradict provisions in public service rules, which require prompt payment of benefits attached to promotions. “This is not just a welfare issue; it is a breach of service conditions,” the officer said.
Labour and security sector analysts say prolonged non-payment of entitlements within paramilitary agencies could undermine discipline and operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, civil society groups monitoring public finance have called for transparency. The Executive Director of a governance advocacy orgasation said allegations of withheld or diverted funds should be investigated by relevant oversight bodies, including the National Assembly committees on interior and public accounts. “These are serious claims that require an open audit and clear explanations from authorities,” he said.
The officers appealed to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Interior to intervene, insisting that they only seek payment of legitimate entitlements. “We are not asking for favours,” one officer said. “We are asking for what we have earned.”
