The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that the Federal Government has successfully processed and cleared more than 200,000 passport backlogs since he took over the ministry. He also noted that ₦28 billion in longstanding debts have been settled — all without receiving additional funds from the government.
Tunji-Ojo made this known on Monday while speaking in Lagos at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series. The lecture, themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” attracted key figures from the public and private sectors.
The Minister said the achievements were made possible through careful planning, use of innovation, and technological upgrades. He explained that his team focused on problem-solving by anticipating issues rather than reacting to them. According to him, “Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur.”
During his address, he talked about several reforms that have been rolled out under his leadership. These include a new e-visa system, contactless passport renewal services for Nigerians living abroad, and better tracking tools for passenger movement.
He also turned attention to Nigeria’s correctional centres, noting that many of them are in very poor condition. Tunji-Ojo pointed out that more than 4,000 inmates are currently locked up because they could not afford to pay minor fines — some as low as ₦50,000. “This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one,” he said.
To address this, the ministry is collaborating with private individuals and organisations to secure the release of non-violent offenders who are being held simply due to lack of funds. He also noted that ongoing efforts are being made to reform the prison system to focus more on rehabilitation rather than just punishment.
Some of the plans in place include digital case monitoring systems, skills training programs for inmates, and partnerships aimed at improving prison facilities across the country.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he noted.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, also spoke at the event, praising Tunji-Ojo’s leadership approach. “Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, describing the Minister’s work as a good example of true public service.
The lecture series was part of Access Bank’s efforts to encourage discussions on leadership and national development. Business leaders, top government officials, and industry experts gathered to share ideas and strategies for progress.
In his closing remarks, Tunji-Ojo urged everyone to live intentionally and chase excellence in their fields. “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 said.
