Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that over 200,000 pending passport applications have been processed since he took office.
He also disclosed that the ministry has settled N28 billion in longstanding debts—all achieved without additional government funding.
Tunji-Ojo made these remarks during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series in Lagos on Monday, where he spoke on the theme “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate.” He emphasized the importance of proactive leadership, systemic reform, and strategic use of technology.
“True leadership means anticipating problems and resolving them before they escalate. To lead effectively, one must always ask: What is your mission? What’s your plan? And when is the right moment to act?” he said.
He detailed how innovation and planning enabled his ministry to tackle the backlog of passport applications and outstanding debts. He also highlighted key initiatives introduced under his leadership, including:
- A new e-visa system
- Contactless passport renewals for Nigerians living abroad
- Advanced passenger monitoring systems
On the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, Tunji-Ojo described the situation as dire, noting that over 4,000 inmates are imprisoned simply because they cannot afford fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a moral one. A society that penalizes poverty more than actual crime has lost its ethical foundation,” he stated.
“A prison should rehabilitate, not dehumanize. Justice without dignity is simply injustice in disguise.”
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, applauded the minister’s efforts, stating, “Innovation isn’t about huge budgets—it’s about visionary thinking,” and added that Tunji-Ojo exemplifies what effective public service should be.