In a two-decade career with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abiola Jimoh has consistently demonstrated dedication, integrity, and a commitment to protecting others, which has made her a shining star in a society where integrity is often in short supply.

Corruption and malpractice have long plagued Nigeria’s security sector, undermining public confidence in state institutions.. Recent reports have highlighted serious misconduct within the NSCDC, including high-ranking officials involved in fraud, employment scams, and failure to pay contractors. One notable case is the recent conviction of a Commandant on nine counts of employment fraud by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Jimoh is a Divisional Officer who has worked in various departments within the NSCDC. She has shown that despite the news about corrupt officials, there are many others who uphold integrity consistently. She has been involved in different departments, including the Finance Department, which she joined in 2015. In that capacity, she handled the disbursement of funds, managed financial accounts, analyzed monetary expenditures, including those related to procurement, and defended financial reports for the organization at the National Assembly.

Aside from investigating fraud, a 2020 newspaper report highlighted Abiola’s dedication to the capacity building and the enhanced performance of NSCDC personnel. 

“I was initially posted to Ojo Local Government Area as Head of Division, but because of my excellent performance and delivery, I was moved to Badagry as Divisional Officer. In my first week in Badagry, we made an arrest of men trying to export 30 litres of petrol in 300 kegs that were vandalized, into the Benin Republic in an operation on the high sea,” she revealed.

Her investigations into vandalism in the petroleum industry and fraud during her time as the divisional officer in Badagry led to the interception of vandals attempting to illegally export national petroleum assets through the seaport.

“I was offered 5 million naira to let them go but turned it down. I cannot tell you the exact worth of the assets because it is confidential, but the boat used during their operation was worth 7 million naira. The investigation was covered by NTA and Channels Television and was taken to court, under the African President of Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIAN), Dr. Victoria Enape,” she revealed.

Her exemplary work earned her recognition as one of Accountability Lab Nigeria’s Integrity Icons in 2020, reinforcing the belief that integrity still thrives within the sector. . Gbenga Oluwasegun, who nominated Abiola Jimoh for the Integrity Icon award believes she is deserves special recognition

“Her transfer from the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps to a local government in Badagry, Lagos, as the Divisional Officer was based on a recommendation due to her transparency and diligence,” Oluwasegun shares

Apart from her integrity, Oluwasegun also describes Jimoh as a generous woman who caters to her community in times of need.

“She personally distributed 300 face masks and provided daily food during the COVID-19 lockdown for people in Badagry. She has gone above and beyond, even before she moved to Lagos, to help children (Almajiris) with food, and she did this constantly,” Oluwasegun said.

Before her tenure ended, Jimoh received an award of excellence in recognition of her dexterity, diligence and integrity. She lamented the erosion of public trust in the security sector and stressed the need for accountability. “If the defense sector does not act against issues of dishonesty and enables a culture of secrecy rather than spotlighting and appreciating personnel who remain committed to upholding the sector’s mandates, it provides fertile ground for corrupt activities and impunity to grow, shielding them from rigorous scrutiny,” she warned.

As Nigerians continue to grapple with corruption in public institutions, especially with security organisations, Abiola Jimoh of the NSCDC stands as a shining example of professionalism and integrity, providing a model for younger officers in a system often lacking in such values.

This report is championed by Accountability Lab Nigeria and supported by The John D. and Catherine D. MacArthur Foundation and Luminate.