The Federal Government has successfully cleared more than 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since the appointment of Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. In addition, the government has settled ₦28 billion in outstanding debts related to passport services, all achieved without requesting additional funds from the treasury.
Tunji-Ojo made these disclosures on Monday during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos, where he addressed the theme, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate.” He emphasized the importance of visionary leadership, systemic reforms, and leveraging technology to solve national challenges.
“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?” the Minister stated.
The Interior Ministry’s innovative approach included launching new e-visa platforms, enabling contactless passport renewals for Nigerians living abroad, and implementing advanced passenger tracking systems. These initiatives have been pivotal in eliminating the passport backlog and improving service delivery.
On the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, Tunji-Ojo painted a grim picture, revealing that over 4,000 inmates remain incarcerated simply because they cannot afford 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 lamented.
The Minister highlighted ongoing collaborations with private donors aimed at securing the release of non-violent offenders and pushing reforms centered on rehabilitation rather than mere punishment. Proposed reforms include digital case tracking, vocational training programs within prisons, and partnerships to enhance prison conditions.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” Tunji-Ojo remarked.
Access Holdings Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended the Minister’s leadership, noting, “Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking.” He praised Tunji-Ojo’s work as a model of genuine public service.
The event gathered business leaders, government officials, and experts nationwide, underscoring Access Bank’s commitment to fostering national progress through dialogue on leadership and service.
In closing, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to live purposefully and pursue excellence. “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. It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he concluded.
