The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has dismissed allegations that its leadership is withholding promotion-related salary arrears and welfare funds, insisting that payments are outside the control of the Commandant General.
The clarification followed complaints by some personnel who claimed that promotion arrears covering 2022 to 2024 had not been paid, despite assurances that the funds had been released.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, said the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, does not supervise the payment of salaries or promotion arrears, explaining that such responsibilities rest with the Presidential Committee on Arrears.
According to Babawale, the committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation.
He stated, “The allegation that the leadership of the Corps is withholding promotion arrears and personnel welfare funds is false, misleading, and malicious. The Commandant General does not control the payment of salary or promotion arrears.”
Babawale explained that the current leadership inherited several years of unpaid salary arrears upon assuming office in 2021, adding that significant progress had since been made.
He said, “It is on record that the present administration of the Corps inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears. Through sustained engagement with relevant government authorities, arrears from 2015 to 2019 were cleared, benefiting over 37,000 personnel nationwide.”
The NSCDC spokesperson also countered claims that no arrears had been paid since 2022, describing such reports as inaccurate.
“Contrary to reports suggesting that no arrears have been paid since 2022, payment records clearly show progress in settling outstanding obligations,” he added.
On the delay in clearing arrears for 2023 and 2024, Babawale noted that approval and disbursement of such funds require presidential consent and budgetary provision.
“The arrears for 2023 and 2024 are yet to receive approval from the relevant authorities, as government disbursements must follow due process, including presidential approval and budgetary release,” he said.
He further disclosed that the results of the 2025 promotion examinations were released only in December 2025, and the process of incorporating the financial implications into the budget was ongoing.
Babawale appealed to officers and men of the Corps to remain calm, assuring them that the leadership would continue to engage with the appropriate authorities to ensure the eventual release of funds.
“The Corps remains committed to the welfare of its personnel and will sustain dialogue with government institutions until all outstanding arrears are addressed,” he said.
