Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, says President Bola Tinubu has approved lifetime salary for senior officers of agencies under the ministry.

A statement on Thursday signed by PO Abraham, the ministry’s head of corporate services, said Tunji-Ojo announced the development on Thursday at the 2025 ministerial retreat.

The minister said the new policy applies to officers retiring at the rank of deputy controller, comptroller, or commandant-general.

“In recognition of the welfare of senior officers, the Minister announced that any officer retiring from the rank Deputy Controller/Comptroller/ Commandant-General will now receive lifetime salary benefits, a policy graciously approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement reads.

Tunji-Ojo said the move is part of efforts to improve the welfare of personnel and ensure that “those who serve the country with distinction do not retire into poverty”.

He added that the policy is one of the major reforms implemented under the Tinubu administration, alongside the clearance of a backlog of over 50,000 pending promotions in the past two years.

“We have placed capacity and performance at the centre of officers’ progression while also prioritising mental health and welfare,” he added.

The minister said the government has developed training manuals, invested in capacity building, and commenced the construction of a world-class fire academy designed to rival top institutions such as the Arizona Fire Academy.

On service delivery, he directed the federal fire service to open up for private sector partnerships to drive infrastructure development and modernise firefighting operations in the country.

Tunji-Ojo expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his support, saying all agencies under the ministry are benefitting from the renewed hope agenda.