By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismissed as false, baseless, and malicious an online publication alleging non-payment of promotion arrears and diversion of funds meant for personnel welfare by the leadership of the Corps under the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR.
In an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC described the report, which surfaced on some online platforms on January 23, 2026, as a deliberate campaign of calumny aimed at misleading the public, creating unnecessary tension, and tarnishing the image of the Corps’ leadership.
The Corps clarified that the Commandant General does not have control over the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, or other emoluments, stressing that such payments fall strictly under the Presidential Committee on Arrears, chaired by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation.
According to the statement, available payment records clearly show progress in the settlement of arrears, contrary to claims that no arrears have been paid since 2022. The NSCDC disclosed that the current leadership inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assuming office in 2021 and, through sustained engagements with relevant government authorities, successfully facilitated the clearance of arrears spanning 2015 to 2019, benefiting over 37,000 personnel nationwide.
On the status of 2020–2022 arrears, the Corps explained that due process has been followed, as the Finance, Budget and Planning Departments, on the directive of the Commandant General, applied to the Presidential Committee on Arrears for payment. The request, the Corps said, has since been approved, and the payment schedule is currently with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation awaiting release to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for disbursement.
The Corps further noted that arrears for 2023–2024 are yet to receive the necessary approvals, emphasising that government cannot release funds without presidential approval and budgetary provision.
On promotions, the NSCDC explained that the 2025 promotion examination results were only released in December 2025, and processes to capture the implications in the budget are presently ongoing.
Reaffirming its stance, the Corps stated that the leadership under Prof. Audi remains firmly committed to inclusive welfare, transparency, and accountability, adding that it will not be distracted by blackmail, cyberbullying, or attempts to undermine the credibility of the agency.
The NSCDC urged the public, stakeholders, and media organisations to disregard the false publication and always verify information through established channels before publication. It also appealed to personnel across the country to remain calm and patient, assuring them that the leadership will continue to pursue their welfare and that government has promised to release the funds for disbursement in due course.
