Over the past year, the name Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has become synonymous with innovation, exceptional efficiency, and unwavering determination. As the Interior Minister, he stands out as one of President Bola Tinubu’s most outstanding appointees, skillfully executing the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’
In just one year, the former federal legislator has successfully convinced many skeptical citizens that a functional Nigeria is achievable. Leveraging his background in Information Communication Technology (ICT), he has transformed the operations of the four agencies within the Interior Ministry.
Upon taking office, Tunji-Ojo, commonly referred to as BTO, made it clear that the days of ‘business as usual’ in the Interior Ministry were over. He quickly demonstrated his unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation, implementing numerous reforms and achieving remarkable accomplishments across the four agencies under his purview.
The minister has set new standards in the Nigerian public service, embodying a vision of efficiency, equity, and progressive change. With the support of associates and encouragement from President Tinubu, he has effectively provided much-needed relief to Nigerians, using his office.
A significant and landmark achievement of the minister in the ministry is the clearance of a backlog of 204,332 passports and over 50,000 new applications within a record breaking three weeks—a challenge the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had faced for years. He also addressed 2.5 million National Identification Number (NIN) modification backlogs he inherited.
This passport backlog clearance has alleviated stress for many Nigerians and restored confidence in the NIS’s ability to process passport applications efficiently.
Building on this success, he issued a visionary directive that ushered in a new era of efficiency in the Interior Ministry, establishing a two-week timeline for processing and issuing Nigerian passports. This timeframe has been maintained since February 2024.
The minister has implemented measures to facilitate office and home delivery of passports for applicants in Nigeria and those in the diaspora, enhancing convenience and accessibility. Additionally, he introduced the initiative for personal uploads of passport photographs, making the application process more user-friendly and efficient.
He has also taken a proactive approach to international relations, emphasizing fairness and reciprocity in visa processes. His commitment is evident in his criticism of unjust privileges granted to foreign nationals, advocating for the rights of Nigerian applicants to receive equitable treatment abroad. This assertive stance not only protects Nigerian citizens internationally but also bolsters the country’s standing on the global stage.
The minister’s midas touch has positively affected the welfare of paramilitary officers as well. BTO has been a strong advocate for adequate compensation for these officers and has initiated plans to establish a functional pension board to enhance morale and productivity within the ranks. He aims to align the salaries of paramilitary officers with those of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), promoting fairness and equity. Additionally, over the past year, he has facilitated the promotion of thousands of personnel within the Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Over the past year, Tunji-Ojo has received numerous accolades in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the Interior Ministry. The most recent honour is the “Public Service Person of the Year 2023,” awarded by LEADERSHIP Newspaper, acknowledging his bold , intensive and exceptional reforms in resolving the perennial passport booklet debacle at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) within just five weeks of taking office.
Among his notable accomplishments are the establishment of a state-of-the-art Data Centre and Command and Control Centre at the NIS headquarters, which are set to be commissioned shortly. These new facilities are designed to enhance the new visa and passport application processes as well as improve border management systems.
Additionally, the interior minister has initiated the rehabilitation of various correctional facilities, underscoring his commitment to modernising and strengthening Nigeria’s security infrastructure. Tunji-Ojo’s relentless pursuit of excellence over the past year continues to instill hope for a better future among Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
Under the leadership of Hon. Tunji-Ojo, the Interior Ministry is set to achieve significant advancements in the coming years. His innovative approach, coupled with the full backing of President Tinubu, has transformed the narrative of public service delivery in Nigeria, instilling hope in citizens that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is genuine and actionable.
Additionally, the minister has introduced the Safe School Initiative and improved emergency and fire response times by commissioning new fire engines and rapid intervention vehicles. He also successfully completed a Dell 1.4 Petabyte (PB) Tier 4 Data Centre and Command at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters.
In his efforts to curb vandalism in mining areas and enhance revenue in the sector, Tunji-Ojo launched the Mining Marshal program at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) headquarters. This initiative is complemented by the deployment of 10,000 Agro Rangers across the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to protect farmlands and safeguard farmers from increasing attacks.
As Nigeria enters the third quarter of 2024, Tunji-Ojo’s numerous accomplishments remain a testament to the promising future ahead. His bold actions and remarkable achievements have solidified his reputation as a transformative leader in the history of Nigerian public service.
– Salako, a media practitioner writes from Abuja
