Tunji-Ojo Directs Paramilitary Chiefs on Revolutionary Innovation and Performance Management Reforms in Nigeria

Published: November 3, 2025 | Source: Vanguard News

Introduction

In a pivotal address aimed at transforming Nigeria’s paramilitary sector, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has charged the chiefs of the four key paramilitary agencies under his ministry—Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and Federal Fire Service—with pioneering a culture of revolutionary capital injection, discipline, and knowledge-driven reforms. Delivered during a capacity-building workshop on the Performance Management System (PMS) in Abuja, this directive underscores the urgent need for innovation in public security operations.

What does “revolutionary capital injection” mean in this context? It refers to injecting fresh, entrepreneurial thinking and resources into operations, moving beyond outdated practices to adopt modern tools like digital technologies and data-driven decision-making. This move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing performance, accountability, and tangible results. For security professionals, policymakers, and citizens interested in Nigeria paramilitary reforms, this event highlights a strategic shift toward sustainable institutional excellence.

Analysis

Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s speech at the PMS workshop provides a comprehensive blueprint for modernizing paramilitary operations in Nigeria. He explicitly critiqued reliance on rank and seniority alone, stating that the era where these factors guaranteed innovation has ended. Instead, he advocated opening workplaces to ideas from junior officers, recognizing that knowledge is not monopolized by leadership.

Emphasis on Continuous Learning

A core theme was lifelong learning. The Minister shared his personal commitment to quarterly refresher courses, famously declaring, “The day you stop learning is the day you die.” This pedagogical approach encourages paramilitary leaders to study contemporary practices, such as internet-enabled operations and drone technology, which were absent when many joined the service decades ago. He warned against applying 1991 strategies to 2025 challenges, a direct call for adapting to digital marketing-driven security operations.

Innovation and Rewards System

Tunji-Ojo positioned potency, value addition, and novel ideas as essential for leadership. He announced intentions to reward forward-thinking officers, proposing the revival of medals for such revolutionary capital injection. This merit-based system aims to foster entrepreneurship within paramilitary ranks, praising the intellectual quality of Nigeria’s paramilitary personnel while urging Comptroller-Generals to solicit constructive inputs.

Institutional Longevity

Highlighting the Ministry of Interior’s history since 1957, he stressed building systems that outlast individuals. Training, he noted, fulfills the government’s duty to develop competent staff, as demanding performance from untrained personnel would be unjust. Public decisions impact millions, and poor choices by security leaders could undermine national security and welfare.

Summary

At the Abuja workshop, Minister Tunji-Ojo instructed paramilitary chiefs to lead a paradigm shift toward innovation, discipline, and PMS adoption. Key directives include embracing junior ideas, continuous upskilling, modern tech integration, and rewarding innovation. Controller General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the initiative as pivotal for institutional excellence under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Other leaders pledged support for efficient service delivery nationwide.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Implementing Tunji-Ojo’s vision requires actionable steps for paramilitary officers and agencies. Start by cascading PMS training to all ranks, as recommended. Here’s a pedagogical guide:

Step-by-Step PMS Adoption

1. Assess Current Practices: Audit operations against modern benchmarks, identifying gaps in tech like drones for surveillance.
2. Promote Open Idea Forums: Hold monthly sessions for junior officers to pitch innovations, fostering a non-hierarchical culture.
3. Schedule Continuous Training: Integrate quarterly online courses on cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI in security—platforms like Coursera offer free modules tailored for public servants.
4. Implement Metrics: Use PMS dashboards to track KPIs such as response times, case resolution rates, and resource efficiency.
5. Reward Mechanism: Establish quarterly innovation awards, linking them to promotions for sustained motivation.

For NCoS specifically, apply PMS to rehabilitation metrics, measuring recidivism reductions through digital tracking. NIS can optimize border management with AI predictive analytics, while NSCDC enhances civil defense via real-time drone feeds. Federal Fire Service could deploy IoT sensors for faster incident response. These steps ensure Performance Management System Nigeria yields verifiable results.

Points of Caution

While transformative, this revolutionary capital injection demands vigilance. Resistance to change from veteran officers could stall progress—address via targeted change management workshops. Overemphasis on innovation without infrastructure risks frustration; prioritize budget allocations for tech under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ensure equitable idea implementation to avoid favoritism claims. Monitor PMS for biases in evaluations, maintaining transparency. Finally, cybersecurity threats in digital adoption necessitate robust protocols, as outdated systems expose vulnerabilities.

Comparison

Traditional paramilitary management in Nigeria relied on hierarchical, tenure-based decisions, effective in analog eras but inadequate for today’s threats like cybercrimes and asymmetric warfare. Tunji-Ojo’s model contrasts sharply:

This evolution mirrors global trends, like the U.S. DHS’s use of predictive policing, positioning Nigeria’s paramilitary for enhanced efficacy.

Legal Implications

In Nigeria, public service reforms like PMS align with the Public Service Rules (2021), mandating continuous training (Chapter 2, Rule 020402) and performance appraisals (Rule 070101). The Civil Service (Reorganisation) Decree No. 43 of 1988 empowers ministers to enforce efficiency. Non-compliance could invoke disciplinary actions under the Federal Civil Service Commission guidelines. Training obligations stem from the Constitution’s welfare directives (Section 17), ensuring decisions safeguard national security without legal overreach. No new laws were introduced; this builds on existing frameworks for accountability.

Conclusion

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s charge to paramilitary chiefs marks a watershed in Nigeria’s security architecture, embedding revolutionary capital injection and PMS for enduring reforms. By prioritizing innovation, discipline, and knowledge, these agencies—NIS, NSCDC, NCoS, and Federal Fire Service—can deliver superior service under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Leaders must act decisively, cascading these principles to build resilient institutions that serve Nigerians effectively. This directive not only enhances operational potency but also inspires a culture of excellence across public service.

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