The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the 2025 Ministerial Retreat on Thursday, August 28, 2025, highlighting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action.

The policy targets retiring officers at the rank of Deputy Controller, Comptroller, or Commandant-General and above, ensuring they continue to receive their full salaries for life after retirement. 

Described as a “major boost to officer welfare,” this initiative aims to recognize the sacrifices and long-term contributions of these high-ranking officials in agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Fire Service. 

Dr. Tunji-Ojo expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support, stating that the measure aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening institutional performance and capacity across all interior agencies.  

Speaking at the retreat, the minister detailed the ministry’s recent achievements, including the clearance of a long-standing backlog of promotions for over 50,000 officers in the past two years. 

“We have successfully cleared the long-standing backlog of promotions,” Tunji-Ojo noted, adding that future promotions will be based on a new performance-driven system emphasizing capacity and merit.  

He also revealed plans for institutional enhancements, such as the development of new training manuals and the ongoing construction of a world-class Fire Academy modeled after leading international institutions like the Arizona Fire Academy. 

Furthermore, the minister underscored the ministry’s focus on mental health support for officers, assuring full backing in this vital area to foster a healthier and more resilient workforce.

The lifetime salary policy is expected to serve as a powerful incentive for career progression and retention in the civil service, particularly amid economic pressures and the ongoing brain drain in public sectors. 

Stakeholders, including union leaders and retired officers, have hailed the decision as a long-overdue recognition of service, potentially reducing financial hardships in retirement and encouraging more professionals to pursue senior roles without fear of post-service insecurity. 

This move builds on President Tinubu’s broader welfare reforms, such as recent pension backlog clearances and minimum wage adjustments, reflecting a holistic approach to improving the livelihoods of public sector workers and retirees.

The retreat concluded with a reaffirmation of the ministry’s dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda, with Dr. Tunji-Ojo calling on all agencies to redouble efforts in service delivery for the benefit of Nigerians.