In a significant move towards gender equality, the Federal Government has established a 35 percent recruitment quota for women in paramilitary services within the Ministry of Interior. This announcement was made by Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during a media event in Abuja on Friday, coinciding with his first anniversary in office. The recruitment slots will impact key agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

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“We are committed to ensuring that 35 percent of recruitment positions are reserved for women across all our services. Career development within these paramilitary agencies remains a top priority,” stated the minister.

Collaboration with NFF for Inmate Rehabilitation

In addition to the recruitment initiative, Tunji-Ojo announced a partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) aimed at enhancing the rehabilitation of inmates in correctional facilities.

“We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NFF to utilize football as a tool for inmate rehabilitation. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to harness the transformative power of sports. It promotes discipline, teamwork, and personal development, giving inmates a constructive way to channel their energy while helping to reduce recidivism rates. Through this innovative approach, we are reaffirming our dedication to rehabilitation, ensuring that our correctional facilities provide a genuine second chance for individuals eager to turn their lives around,” he explained.