Federal Gov’t Clears 200,000 Passport Backlogs

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he assumed office.

Tunji-Ojo made the announcement during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday, adding that ₦28 billion in old debts have been paid off without extra government funding.

He spoke on the topic, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” and called for bold leadership, system reform, and the smart use of technology.

“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.

He explained how his ministry used innovation, technology, and planning to clear passport backlogs and debts.

New systems, such as e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking, have been launched.

Speaking about Nigeria’s prisons, Tunji-Ojo said the correctional system was in bad shape, noting that more than 4,000 inmates were behind bars simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.

“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.

He mentioned that the Ministry of Interior was collaborating with private donors to facilitate the release of numerous non-violent prisoners, while also advocating for reforms that prioritise rehabilitation over mere punishment.