In a statement dated January 29, 2026, and issued from the National Headquarters in Abuja, the Corps said reports alleging non-payment of promotion arrears under the current leadership was baseless, misleading and a campaign of calumny aimed at causing unnecessary tension among personnel and misleading the public.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has denied allegations circulating online that its leadership is withholding promotion arrears and funds meant for personnel welfare, describing the claims as false, malicious and a deliberate attempt to discredit the Corps.
In a statement dated January 29, 2026, and issued from the National Headquarters in Abuja, the Corps said reports alleging non-payment of promotion arrears under the current leadership was baseless, misleading and a campaign of calumny aimed at causing unnecessary tension among personnel and misleading the public.
The statement, signed by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Afolabi Babawale, insisted that the Commandant General does not control the payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears or other emoluments, contrary to the impression created by the workers.
“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,” the statement said.
According to the Corps, available payment records show clear progress in the settlement of arrears, disputing claims that no arrears have been paid since 2022. It described such claims as “a complete falsehood.”
The NSCDC further disclosed that when Prof. Audi assumed office in 2021, the Corps inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears spanning from 2015 to 2019.
It said that through sustained engagement with relevant government authorities, the current leadership was able to secure the clearance of the backlog, with over 37,000 personnel benefiting from the payments.
“It is on record that the current leadership of the Corps inherited five years of unpaid salary arrears upon assumption of duty in 2021,” Afolabi noted.
“With assiduous efforts and interface with government, the Commandant General 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.”
On the much-talked-about arrears covering 2020 to 2022, the Corps said it has followed due process and that the payment process is already at an advanced stage.
According to the NSCDC, the Finance, Budget and Planning Departments, acting on the directive of the Commandant General, formally applied to the Presidential Committee on Arrears for payment of the outstanding entitlements.
The Corps revealed that the request for the 2020–2022 arrears has since been approved and that 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.
Regarding arrears for 2023 and 2024, the NSCDC said the funds have yet to be approved by the relevant authorities, stressing that government cannot disburse funds without presidential approval and the necessary budgetary release.
The statement also addressed concerns surrounding the 2025 promotion exercise, clarifying that the promotion examination results were only released in December 2025 and that the process of capturing the financial implications in the budget is still ongoing.
“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 Corps stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to personnel welfare, the NSCDC said the leadership under Prof. Audi remains focused on inclusive welfare policies, transparency and accountability.
It warned that the Corps would not succumb to blackmail, cyberbullying or attempts by individuals or groups to undermine its credibility.
“The NSCDC remains committed to personnel welfare, and the Corps’ leadership under Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi remains firmly committed to inclusive welfare, transparency and accountability,” the statement said.
“The Corps will not be swayed or succumb to blackmail, cyberbullying or any attempt to undermine the credibility of the Agency.”