Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed significant strides made since his appointment, revealing that more than 200,000 previously unprocessed passport applications have now been cleared under his leadership.
Speaking at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series in Lagos on Monday, the minister also announced that his ministry had successfully offset ₦28 billion in longstanding debts without receiving any additional government funding.
During the lecture themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of foresight, structured planning, and technological integration in transforming public service. He argued that effective leadership must anticipate problems before they manifest, stating that leaders should constantly ask themselves the purpose behind their actions, the method of execution, and the appropriate timing for implementation.
He explained that his team leveraged innovation, technology, and strategic planning to address the passport backlog and inherited financial burdens. Among the new initiatives he outlined were e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewal processes for Nigerians living abroad, and the introduction of advanced systems for monitoring passenger movements.
Addressing the country’s correctional institutions, Tunji-Ojo painted a grim picture of the current state of the prison system. He said the system remains deeply flawed, noting that over 4,000 inmates are currently incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay fines—some as little as ₦50,000. Describing the situation as a moral crisis rather than a legal one, he expressed concern over a justice system that penalizes poverty more severely than criminal behavior.
The minister further shared plans by the ministry to collaborate with private donors to secure the release of many of these non-violent inmates. He also outlined broader reform efforts that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. These efforts include the digitalization of case tracking systems, implementation of vocational training programs for inmates, and new partnerships aimed at improving overall prison conditions.
He reinforced the idea that correctional facilities should serve as avenues for reform rather than condemnation. “Justice without dignity,” he said, “is injustice in disguise.”
Commending Tunji-Ojo’s achievements, Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, remarked that innovation is not necessarily tied to large budgets but to expansive thinking. He praised the minister’s efforts as a model of what public service ought to be.
The event, hosted in Lagos, brought together prominent figures from business, government, and academia, all participating in discussions aimed at redefining leadership and national progress. It was part of Access Bank’s ongoing initiative to inspire transformation through purposeful dialogue.
Concluding his address, Tunji-Ojo challenged citizens to pursue excellence with intention. He called on institutions and individuals alike to aspire beyond function, urging them to become symbols of a higher standard. “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. It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.
What you should know
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s reforms are reshaping the Interior Ministry, with a strong focus on clearing bureaucratic bottlenecks and tackling social justice issues such as prison overcrowding.
His approach demonstrates a commitment to technological advancement, fiscal discipline, and human dignity in public service.
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