The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced significant strides in reforming Nigeria’s internal systems since his assumption of office.
Speaking at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos, the Minister revealed that the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications — a major breakthrough in addressing one of the nation’s persistent bureaucratic bottlenecks.
In a lecture titled “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized the power of proactive leadership and the importance of purpose-driven governance. He described his achievements not as mere reactions to crises, but as results of foresight, strategic planning, and bold innovation.
Highlighting the efficiency of his approach, Tunji-Ojo noted that over ₦28 billion in legacy debts had been cleared, all without additional allocations from the national treasury. This feat, he said, was made possible through careful prioritization, better system coordination, and leveraging technology to optimize internal resources.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur,” the Minister stated. He urged both public and private sector leaders to always ask critical questions about purpose, execution, and timing in decision-making.
Tunji-Ojo explained how his ministry deployed digital solutions to tackle long-standing inefficiencies. Innovations include the introduction of an e-visa platform to ease international travel for visitors, contactless passport renewal processes for Nigerians in the diaspora, and advanced passenger information systems aimed at improving border security and surveillance.
These technologies, he noted, have transformed service delivery within the Ministry of Interior, significantly reducing processing times and enhancing transparency and accountability.
Shifting focus to the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, Tunji-Ojo painted a grim picture. He revealed that more than 4,000 inmates remain incarcerated solely because they cannot afford to pay fines as low as ₦50,000. He labeled this situation not just a legal issue, but a profound moral crisis.
“A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he stated. To address this, the Ministry is collaborating with philanthropic organizations to secure the release of these non-violent offenders. Efforts are also underway to push structural reforms within the correctional system.
These reforms include the implementation of a digital case tracking system to reduce trial delays, vocational and life skills training programs for inmates, and partnerships aimed at improving prison infrastructure and the dignity of those incarcerated.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized. “Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise.”
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended the Minister’s accomplishments, saying they represent a new standard for public service. He noted that innovation does not necessarily depend on large budgets but on visionary thinking and purposeful execution.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” Aig-Imoukhuede stated. “The Minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.”
The event, which brought together government officials, business executives, and civil society leaders, served as a platform for national introspection and a rallying call for systemic change. Tunji-Ojo concluded his address by challenging Nigerians to live with intent and to transform national potential into measurable performance.
“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance,” he declared. “It is time to refine our genius, not just export it.”
His remarks encapsulated a broader vision of national renewal driven by values, innovation, and collective responsibility.