Reports from within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) allege that Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is overstepping his authority, interfering in the agency’s operations, and engaging in questionable promotion practices that have sparked unrest and lowered morale. Sources say that since taking office, the Minister has disregarded established protocols, promoting junior officers over their seniors in ways that foster discord, insubordination, and general discontent within the service.
According to insider sources, Tunji-Ojo has effectively sidelined the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGIS), handling officer postings—both foreign and local—independently, thereby reducing the CGIS role to a mere formality. A senior official told reporters, “The service is struggling under the weight of low morale, poor welfare, and financial inadequacies. The public image presented by the Ministry is a stark contrast to the reality faced by NIS officers, who feel overlooked and underpaid.”
Additionally, officers posted to foreign missions are reportedly struggling with delayed and insufficient allowance payments. “We received the first quarter allocation for 2024 only in September, and the funds fall far short of our needs,” an officer shared. This delay, coupled with inconsistencies in salary calculations, has left many officers abroad in financial distress.
Concerns also center around perceived favoritism in promotions. Allegations detail a pattern of special promotions bypassing the regular order of seniority, with junior officers promoted ahead of longstanding personnel. Notable examples include officers like Adeshokan Adeola, who was promoted from Comptroller of Immigration to Assistant Comptroller General, and Bashir Aminu, who rose from Assistant Comptroller to Deputy Comptroller after only a year in rank. Several other promotions similarly elevated officers before they were due.
Calling for accountability, NIS officers are urging authorities—including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the National Assembly—to investigate these practices before the agency’s integrity is further compromised.
