The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has dismissed reports alleging the non-payment of promotion and salary arrears, clarifying that such claims are misleading and do not reflect the true position of the service.
The clarification followed complaints by some personnel over the alleged non-payment of promotion arrears between 2022 and 2024, with claims that repeated assurances of payment had not been fulfilled.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC Spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, explained that the Commandant General, Abubakar Audi, does not oversee the payment of salaries or promotion arrears, stressing that the responsibility lies with the Presidential Committee on Arrears.
Babawale noted that the committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to him, the current leadership inherited several years of unpaid arrears upon assumption of office in 2021 and had since facilitated the clearance of outstanding payments covering 2015 to 2019, benefiting over 37,000 personnel.
He stated that payment records contradict claims that no arrears had been settled since 2022.
The statement read in part, “Following an unconfirmed report published in some online media platforms dated 23 January, 2026, the NSCDC wishes to set the record straight that the allegation of non-payment of promotion arrears and withholding of funds meant for personnel welfare by the leadership of the Corps, under Abubakar Audi, is false, baseless, misleading, and malicious.
“From all intents and purposes, the said publication is a campaign of calumny, deliberately sponsored to mislead the public, cause unnecessary tension, and malign the integrity of the Corps’ leadership. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to inform the public that the Commandant General does not control the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, or other emoluments. The payment of arrears falls squarely under the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, and the Accountant General of the Federation, and NOT the NSCDC.
“It should also be noted that payment records show clear progress, though the publication maliciously suggested that no arrears have been paid since 2022. This is incorrect and a complete falsehood. It is on record that the current leadership of the Corps inherited 5 years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of duty in 2021, and with assiduous efforts and interface with government, the CG was able to clear the backlog from 2015 to 2019, where over 37,000 personnel benefited, contrary to erroneous claims that he withheld funds meant for personnel welfare.”
Babawale further disclosed that promotion arrears for 2023 and 2024 were still awaiting approval from relevant authorities, explaining that disbursement requires presidential approval and budgetary provision.
He said, “For the 2023–2024 arrears, the arrears are yet to be approved by the relevant authorities, as the government cannot disburse funds without presidential approval and budgetary release.
“It is important to note that the 2025 promotion examination results were only released in December 2025, and the processing to include it in the budget is ongoing.”
The spokesman appealed to personnel across the country to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the Corps’ leadership continues to engage the Federal Government to ensure the release of funds for payment of outstanding arrears
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