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Tag: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

  • Nigeria, Turkey deepen collaboration on visa, business opportunities

    Nigeria, Turkey deepen collaboration on visa, business opportunities

    The Federal Government has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Turkish government to deepen relationships in the areas of visa applications, approvals, and business opportunities for their respective citizens.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this in Abuja shortly after he received the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mehmet Poroy, on a courtesy visit.

     Dr Tunji-Ojo and the Turkish envoy’s discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in visa facilitation and approvals, as well as business mobility and consular matters.

    Dr. Tunji-Ojo described the meeting as substantive and timely, noting that Nigeria and Turkey shared strong historical and cultural ties that provide a solid foundation for deeper collaboration.

    The Minister in a statement by the head of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Mrs Mary Ali reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a smart, structured, and practical approach to international cooperation that supports people-to-people contact and legitimate business engagement.

    The Turkish Ambassador highlighted recent improvements in visa facilitation for Nigerian business people travelling to Turkey, following collaboration between Turkish authorities and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior.

    According to him, under the new arrangement, applications are processed locally, with verified business persons benefiting from faster processing timelines of about three to four days.

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     Ambassador Poroy also raised concerns regarding Turkish businesspeople seeking to visit Nigeria for trade fairs, investments, and other commercial activities. He noted conflicting information on Nigerian visa arrangements for Turkish citizens and requested written clarification to guide applicants accurately.

    He requested the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system. The Ambassador explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates logistical challenges, as applicants must travel to Ankara, stating that inclusion in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility.

    Responding, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish business people is not in the interest of either country. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, dialogue, and continuous improvement in visa administration, while reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners.

    The meeting also addressed the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. The Minister clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not require additional verification. Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the Embassy’s procedures, as both parties agreed to sustained engagement to strengthen bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations.

  • Stakeholders demand prosecution of interior minister’s blackmailers, issues 7-day ultimatum

    Stakeholders demand prosecution of interior minister’s blackmailers, issues 7-day ultimatum

    Stakeholders under the auspices of the Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), has called for the prosecution of individuals blackmailing the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

     The NDRA issued a seven-day ultimatum for the accusers to substantiate their allegations with credible evidence or face legal consequences.

     The group’s spokesperson, Mr. Darlington Nwauju, described the allegations against the minister as “malicious, defamatory and politically sponsored.

     He warne that unproven accusations posed a serious threat to democratic accountability and individual reputations.

     Nwauju challenged the authors of the forgery allegations to publicly present verifiable proof, stressing that allegations made without evidence amounted to defamation under the law.

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     He said: “He that alleges must show proof,” adding that the continued circulation of claims without substantiation was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and damage the image of the interior minister.

     Nwauju observed that one Mr. Isaiah Davies Ijele, from Kogi State, was at the centre of what he described as a coordinated smear campaign against Dr. Tunji-Ojo. 

    He alleged that Ijele operated through multiple unregistered organisations, which he claimed were created solely to target the minister.

     He listed organisations as Accountability Front for Justice and Good Governance, National Youth Reform Coalition, Civil Action Network for Transparency, Police Integrity Movement, Nigeria Integrity Movement Integrity and Transparency Alliance Centre for Leadership Legacy.

  • Fed Govt declares December 25, 26, January 1 as public holidays

    Fed Govt declares December 25, 26, January 1 as public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, as well as Thursday, January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the public holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

    In a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the minister extended warm Christmas and New Year felicitations to Christians in Nigeria and across the world.

    He extended the same gestures “to all Nigerians as they celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one”.

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    Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that these values are critical to promoting unity, tolerance, and harmony in the nation.

    The minister also urged fellow Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations, to use the festive season to pray for the peace, security, and continued progress of the country.

    He urged all citizens to support the Federal Government’s efforts towards national development and cohesion.

    “The Christmas season and the New Year present an opportunity for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of unity, show compassion to one another, and renew our collective commitment to nation-building,” the statement said.

    Tunji-Ojo also enjoined the citizens to remain law-abiding and security-conscious.

    The minister said there is a need for all Nigerians to show moderation in their celebrations and cooperation with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and safe festive period.

    He wished all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

  • ‘We will leave transformative legacy for youths’

    ‘We will leave transformative legacy for youths’

    Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed his commitment to empowering the  youth and institutionalising sustainable reforms that will define the future of the nation.

    Speaking at An Evening With Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo at the Youth House, hosted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader,  Dr Dayo Israel, in Abuja, the Minister declared that his leadership is driven by a mission to hand over to the younger generation a legacy anchored on transformation, innovation, and opportunity.

    According to him, governance must go beyond routine administration to deliver measurable impact that equips youths with the tools, systems, and enabling environment needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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    He emphasised that the ongoing reforms across key institutions are deliberately structured to secure long-term benefits for the next generation.

    Tunji-Ojo urged young Nigerians to take ownership of the future, embrace innovation, and position themselves as active partners in nation-building, assuring them that his administration remains committed to policies and initiatives that place youths at the centre of national development.

    Dr. Dayo Israel, APC National Youth Leader while welcoming the Honourable Minister commended him for spearheading a comprehensive overhaul of the Ministry of Interior, describing the reforms as bold, strategic, and long overdue.

    He also, noted that the Minister’s decisive leadership has repositioned the Ministry for greater efficiency, accountability, and service delivery, setting a new benchmark for institutional transformation in the sector.

    The interactive session drew youths, stakeholders, and leaders from across sectors, reinforcing a shared resolve to build a progressive Nigeria powered by empowered young people.

  • Passport reforms redefining the business climate

    Passport reforms redefining the business climate

    Sir: The passport reforms under the leadership of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo may appear, on the surface, like a travel convenience upgrade. But beneath that surface lies something far more powerful: restored trust in the Nigerian state. Entrepreneurs have long lived in fear of government processes because those processes were unpredictable. You could plan around slow. You could never plan around confusion. Weeks of waiting, duplicated biometrics, extra payments, middlemen, missing files — small business owners suffered all of it. Every inefficiency translated to lost deals, altered timelines, and additional costs.

    Digital passport processing did more than clean up a service. It reintroduced predictability, a currency more valuable than oil when building an economy. Investors, both local and foreign, take cues from how a government manages the simplest things. If a passport system can work seamlessly, stakeholders begin to believe that bigger systems can work too. This is why the reforms matter: they quietly restore confidence in the promise of Nigeria as a functional environment.

    Efficient governance directly reduces the cost of doing business. Entrepreneurs understand this better than anyone. A document stuck on someone’s table can delay a client contract. A manual process can introduce corruption and inflate operational costs. A broken verification system can stall travel plans for an important business meeting. What looks like a “government problem” is always, eventually, a business problem.

    This is why digital processes in immigration, electronic correspondence, identity management reforms, and stricter accountability within agencies translate into real economic impact. They eliminate friction. They save time. They reduce stress. They help entrepreneurs redirect their energy from wrestling with institutions to building the businesses that create jobs.

    What makes the reform approach stand out is its simplicity. It does not rely on noise, ceremony, or the usual theatrics of public office. It focuses on results. It focuses on systems. It focuses on function. And this is exactly what entrepreneurs need: a government that stops being a hurdle and starts behaving like an enabler.

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    The truth is that Nigeria’s biggest growth hack is not another grant programme or motivational initiative. It is competent public administration. It is a government that understands that a thriving private sector needs stable systems the way a plant needs light. When reforms create clarity, entrepreneurs gain scale. When processes become predictable, business risks shrink. When accountability increases, investor trust rises. These are not abstract benefits; they are the conditions under which new industries are born.

    The average entrepreneur may never directly interact with the Ministry of Interior, but they will feel its impact in countless ways: faster travel, smoother documentation, less paperwork, better compliance systems, reduced operational bottlenecks, and a governance environment that supports rather than stifles ambition. Public service efficiency has always been the hidden foundation of a strong private sector. For too long, that foundation has been weak. What we are seeing now is a rebuilding effort that matters more than most people realise.

    Nigeria’s real economic engine has never been crude oil. It has always been people — the small businesses, the freelancers, the founders, the creators, the innovators, the hustlers who convert scarcity into new enterprise. When governance works well, these people lift at once. When governance improves, entrepreneurship expands. When systems are clean, the economy becomes easier to navigate and easier to trust.

    These reforms signal a new kind of social contract: a government that delivers and a citizenry that builds. If this model spreads across ministries, Nigeria will not need endless economic summits to debate growth. Growth will happen naturally because the environment will finally support it. Entrepreneurship will strengthen because the systems around it stop sabotaging it.

    At its core, entrepreneurship is a relay race. Government hands the baton. Entrepreneurs run with it. Investors cheer from the sidelines. Society gets the win. For decades, Nigeria dropped the baton before the race even began. But the reforms we are seeing now suggest that perhaps, for the first time in a long time, the baton is being handed correctly.

    And when government works, entrepreneurs win — every single time.

    •Mohammed Basah, mobasah@gmail.com

  • Minister calls for improved welfare, retirement security for paramilitary personnel

    Minister calls for improved welfare, retirement security for paramilitary personnel

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for enhanced welfare, better retirement programmes, and financial security for para-military personnel in Nigeria. He assured that the Ministry is committed to placing officers on a secure financial footing before retirement.

    Tunji-Ojo made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with Alhaji Abubakar Kure, CEO of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), as the agency reported transactions supporting agriculture and other enterprises surpassing 600 billion naira.

    The Minister highlighted the importance of partnerships between government agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the current administration’s programmes.

    He stressed the need to create innovative support structures that enable officers to build sustainable livelihoods both during service and after retirement.

    Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted that many public officers face financial difficulties toward the end of their service due to inadequate planning and limited access to capital. He emphasized that the Ministry must rethink welfare models to ensure that officers retire with comfort and dignity rather than hardship.

    “Our officers should not retire into austerity. It is concerning that many only begin to think about life after service during their final years. We need a paradigm shift. Retirement should not mean suffering,” he said.

    The Minister highlighted the need for tailor-made, agency-specific financial packages including accessible credit facilities, cooperative investment opportunities, and special schemes for housing, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and other legitimate ventures allowed under the law.

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    He added that nothing in public service regulations prevents officers from investing their personal resources responsibly, provided such ventures do not interfere with official duties or involve misuse of government resources.

    “You can buy shares, invest, or run legitimate family businesses. The law only forbids using government time or resources for personal gain. Proper education on these matters will protect our officers from unnecessary hardship,” he said.

    The Minister encouraged agencies to partner with reputable institutions to design programs with lower interest rates, flexible repayment plans, and customized support for officers who want to prepare for life after service.

    Earlier, Alhaji Kure reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Ministry and its agencies.

    He said the visit was designed to enhance service delivery, support government operations, and explore areas where NIRSAL’s financial and technological expertise, evidenced by over ₦600 billion in transactions across various industries, could bolster the Ministry’s effectiveness.

     The NIRSAL boss emphasised that the agency’s extensive network of more than 150 branches, equipped with experienced personnel and robust systems, positioned the institution to actively support the Ministry’s vendors, contractors, and staff through tailored financial solutions.

  • Campaign of calumny against Tunji-Ojo won’t work, says Rivers APC

    Campaign of calumny against Tunji-Ojo won’t work, says Rivers APC

    The spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, has described what he described as the coordinated attacks on the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo by desperate politicians as a failed project.

    Nwauju recalled that a group named Concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora United Kingdom (CND-UK) last week demanded the Minister’s suspension on issues already debated in the public domain and thrashed as part of history.

    He said the attempt to resurrect the issue of the Minister ‘s NYSC certificate was unbelievable because according to him the Minister never forged the document and the empirical evidence that he was mobilised for the national service was not in doubt.

    Nwauju said: “Whereas there is no offence of perjury or falsification of documents or records, what then is the hullabaloo all about?

    “Nigerians are interested in the major issue of the day which is the undeniable fact that this Minister has outshone all his predecessors in office put together.

    “I challenge them to a public debate on all available performance  indices, if by any stretch of luck to agree to such public debates, maybe they will realize the folly in embarking on needless mob attack against a Minister that has proven to be more patriotic than most of those attempting to distract him.

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    “Have a Minister in cabinet who has been a better salesman of the Nigerian brand through the introduction of several innovative ideas,  dismantling the burden of inefficiency that clogged service delivery in all the paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, prioritizing welfare of these with the promotion of over 50,000 officers and men, opening up these agencies for recruitment of youths with the recent employment drive”.

    Nwauju in a statement on Tuesday said the politicisation of an individual’s public records in the guise of scrutinising a public servant was not part of the issues people were interested in.

    He said: “Nigerians are more interested in the fact that their passport application/issuance processes has become seamless and do not have to fall into hands of middlemen or offering bribes-for-services.

    “Nigerians are interested in the openings coming out of the parastatals under the Interior Ministry that will take our youths out of the labour market by offering them pensionable jobs.

    “Nigerians are interested in discussing the fact that once upon a time, they endured embarrassing moments stepping into our embassies abroad to get their passports renewed only to get stuck in our embassies/missions waiting for weeks and months and some having to waste their savings flying down to Nigeria just to get passports renewed”.

    Nwauju said the visible and verifiable reforms introduced by this minister could not be downplayed by the handiwork of desperadoes.

    “Those who have suddenly woken up to re-introduce an issue long rested, have not really told Nigerians what they actually want.

    “Finally, I will suggest they find more ingenious ways of presenting their attacksInterior Ministry under Dr Tunji-Ojo and cannot find a way around discrediting his Ministerial credentials”.

  • Interior Minister lauded over passport reforms, border security

    Interior Minister lauded over passport reforms, border security

    The Democratic Patriots of Africa (DPA) has commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over ongoing reforms in the ministry.

    The organisation said the reforms are “a clear testimony to his competence, patriotism, and transformative spirit.”

    The group particularly commended reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), which has led to the clearing of over 200,000 passport backlog and the fact that passport processing timelines have been drastically reduced, bottlenecks removed, and digital solutions introduced to improve accessibility and restore public trust in government institutions.

    Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Country Representative of DPA, Ayobami Adeyemi also commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

    He noted that the establishment of NELFUND has reduced the number of school dropouts and increased enrolment of students in tertiary institutions in the country.

    Adeyemi said the minister has redefined public service in Nigeria with results-driven reforms, particularly in passport processing.

    He said that Tunji-Ojo modernised the Nigeria Immigration Service with technology-driven solutions to enhance border security and ease passport issuance.

    He said: “Hon. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo is a visionary, an astute reformer, and a thoroughbred administrator who has redefined public service in Nigeria. Through innovation, diligence, and an unyielding commitment to excellence, he has demonstrated that leadership is about results, not rhetoric.”

    He added: “The Nigeria Immigration Service has been overhauled with innovative technologies that modernised passport issuance and enhanced border security.

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    “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has been strengthened to boost internal security and rapid response to threats. The Correctional Service is witnessing humane reforms and modernisation, while the Federal Fire Service has been equipped with modern tools to protect lives and property.”

    He also commended President Bola Tinubu for entrusting such a sensitive ministry to a capable hand.

    “We must appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his foresight in appointing Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. By entrusting such a critical ministry to a passionate and capable reformer, the President has once again shown his commitment to meritocracy and good governance,” he said.

    President of NFSAN, Faith Istifanus, also commended President Tinubu for far-reaching reforms across key sectors, particularly in education and internal security, noting that the student community is especially impressed with the performance of Tunji-Ojo.

    According to her, passport processing, which previously took months, can now be completed within 24 hours, a development she attributed to the minister’s reform-driven leadership and the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap.

  • Interior Minister unveils digital reforms, as 689 Immigration Cadets graduate In Kano

    Interior Minister unveils digital reforms, as 689 Immigration Cadets graduate In Kano

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Saturday said Nigeria’s immigration management had entered a new era of digital innovation, operational efficiency, and citizen-focused service delivery.

    Tunji-Ojo stated this at the passing-out parade of 689 cadets of the 50th Superintendent Basic Course of the Immigration Training School, Kano.

    The minister, represented by the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin, said the reforms underscored President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “We are committed to building a smarter, more secure and service-oriented immigration system. Some of our recent innovations include the introduction of electronic gates at airports, digital landing and exit cards, a centralised passport production system, and real-time electronic border surveillance,” he said.

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    According to him, these measures will enhance national security, improve operational efficiency, and increase public trust in the service.

    The minister urged the cadets to embrace professionalism, emotional intelligence, and a zero-tolerance attitude toward corruption.

    “Your uniform is a symbol of authority. Use it to protect, not to intimidate. Serve as the face of our nation at its borders with integrity and discipline,” he said.

    In her remarks, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, said the reforms were repositioning the NIS in line with global standards.

    Nandap commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the minister of Interior for their steadfast support and reform-driven leadership in shaping the Nigerian Immigration Service into a modern, technology-driven agency.

    She listed key initiatives including the deployment of e-Border solutions, creation of a Special Border Force, introduction of body cameras at airports, advanced passenger information systems, electronic expatriate residence permits, and the new eVisa application channel.

    “These reforms are designed to strengthen border governance, improve migration management and enhance service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners.

    “The dynamic global environment demands that our officers demonstrate ICT competence, resilience and professionalism,” Nandap said.

    She urged the cadets to reject unethical practices and serve as champions of institutional reforms.

    Earlier, the Commandant of the Immigration Training School, Kano, Comptroller Idris Akande-Ozigi, said the cadets had undergone six months of intensive training to prepare them for the challenges of national service.

    Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano State, represented by the Commissioner for Internal Security, retired Air Vice-Marshal Ibrahim Umar, congratulated the cadets and pledged the state government’s support to the training institution.

    The colourful parade was attended by heads of security agencies, members of the Kano Emirate Council, families of the cadets and other dignitaries.

  • BREAKING: FG declares Friday public holiday for Eid-ul-Mawlid

    BREAKING: FG declares Friday public holiday for Eid-ul-Mawlid

    The Federal Government has declared Friday a public holiday to mark the 2025 Eid-ul-Mawlid, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

    Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the government in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.

    Tunji-Ojo congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world on the occasion, urging reflection on the virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion exemplified by the Prophet.

    “These values remain essential in building a united, prosperous, and progressive nation,” he said.

    The Minister further called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation, to pray for peace, security, and stability in the country while supporting government efforts toward national harmony and sustainable development.