Tinubu Approves Mass Recruitment into Paramilitary Agencies to Strengthen Security and Curb Unemployment

President Tinubu approves hiring 30,000 Nigerians into paramilitary agencies to enhance security and create jobs.

Applications open June 13 for immigration, civil defense, fire, and correctional services in a transparent merit-based process.

In a landmark effort to reinforce Nigeria’s internal security and emergency response infrastructure, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his approval for the recruitment of thousands of qualified Nigerians into four critical paramilitary agencies. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety, improve service delivery, and address the nation’s rising unemployment rate.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Civil Defense, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), which is responsible for overseeing recruitment into the affected agencies. According to the Federal Government, this mass recruitment will involve the enlistment of over 30,000 personnel across various services, marking one of the largest public sector recruitment drives in recent years.

The breakdown of the approved recruitment is as follows:

• Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS): 10,000 new officers
• Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC): 10,000 personnel
• Federal Fire Service (FFS): 5,000 personnel
• Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS): 5,150 personnel
• CDCFIB Secretariat: 209 personnel

Recruitment timeline and application process

The CDCFIB disclosed that applications for the various positions will open on Friday, June 13, 2025, and will run for three weeks only. All applications must be submitted through official online portals, which will be made available on the commencement date. The board has assured Nigerians that the entire recruitment process will be transparent, fair, and merit-based, with no room for favoritism or backdoor entry.

The government encouraged all eligible and interested candidates to apply early and follow updates through official government communication channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes.

A boost for security and youth employment

According to a statement from a spokesperson for the CDCFIB, the mass recruitment aligns with the core objectives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The move is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies while simultaneously offering a lifeline of employment to thousands of young Nigerians.

“This exercise reflects the administration’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of our security and emergency response agencies while providing meaningful employment for citizens,” the statement read.

Analysts have praised the initiative as timely and strategic, particularly at a period when the nation is grappling with multifaceted security challenges from insurgency and kidnapping to cybercrime and urban unrest. Experts believe that a strengthened workforce in these agencies will not only improve response time and law enforcement presence but also reduce the strain on overstretched personnel.

Eligibility criteria

While the comprehensive eligibility requirements will be published once the online portals go live, the CDCFIB has highlighted some of the basic conditions that applicants must meet. These include:

• Must be a Nigerian citizen
• Possession of relevant educational qualifications, which will vary depending on the agency and position applied for
• Compliance with age and medical fitness standards
• A clean criminal record

All prospective applicants are advised to begin assembling the necessary documents in advance to streamline their application process.

Nationwide impact expected

This large-scale recruitment is anticipated to have ripple effects across the country. In addition to directly creating over 30,000 new jobs, it is expected to generate secondary employment opportunities through support services, logistics, and training programs linked to the onboarding of new personnel.

The initiative also demonstrates the administration’s acknowledgment of the importance of manpower in securing the country and managing emergencies. By injecting new energy and skills into the correctional, immigration, civil defense, and fire services, the government hopes to modernize these agencies and improve their reach, efficiency, and public trust.

More details about the application procedure, required credentials, deadlines, and recruitment guidelines are expected to be released in the coming days via the official websites of the relevant agencies and through national media channels.

Prospective applicants and the general public are urged to stay informed and be wary of unofficial sources or individuals claiming to guarantee job placements in exchange for money. The government has reaffirmed that the process will be conducted strictly based on merit and qualifications.

This development marks a significant step in the administration’s ongoing efforts to revamp public sector employment and reinforce the country’s institutional capacity to respond to both security and civil emergencies.