Why We Need a National Paramilitary Academy — Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasized the urgent need for the establishment of a National Paramilitary Academy to enhance the security architecture of Nigeria. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, the minister explained that the academy will provide specialized training for young Nigerians to effectively secure critical national assets.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the academy will be modeled after advanced security institutions like the Police University and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Young Nigerians will be admitted through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and will undergo a rigorous four to five-year training program. Upon graduation, they will receive certification and be deployed to efficiently manage paramilitary operations across the country.
“We want young Nigerians we can mold and train to ensure that critical national assets are secure,” the minister stated.
The minister highlighted that the decision to establish the paramilitary academy was influenced by the success of the Mines Marshals, a security initiative launched by the Federal Government in March 2024 to tackle security challenges in the mining sector.
“What we had before we (the Bola Tinubu administration) came was the generalization of national assets. But we said no, you cannot have one specific medication that can treat all illnesses,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He stressed the importance of sector-specific security strategies, adding, “You have to analyze every sector—the power sector, the water sector, the education sector, the health sector—and be able to create arms of the Civil Defense under the same umbrella.”
The minister also provided insights into the operational plans for the academy, revealing that the government has already started screening potential officers.
“We’ve already agreed on the modus operandi; the offices are being screened. We are already in the process of onboarding those officers; we have to profile them, look at their capacity, look at their competence, look at their area of specialization, and consider a lot of factors, even physical strength,” he said.
Hon. Tunji-Ojo reiterated that President Bola Tinubu is fully committed to the creation of the academy, viewing it as an essential structure for national security.
“The President is very keen on creating this academy because it is about building structure, a lasting system, and legacy. What we inherited was a room that fits all, but that is not the ideal for security,” he explained.
He further noted that paramilitary forces must seamlessly integrate into counter-terrorism efforts due to the critical assets they protect.
“Paramilitaries dovetail to counter-terrorism units because of the critical assets at their disposal. We will revamp that,” the minister concluded.
With the establishment of the National Paramilitary Academy, the government aims to create a structured, well-trained, and specialized security force capable of addressing the nation’s evolving security challenges.
