The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has
announced the successful clearance of over 200,000 pending passport
applications and the settlement of ?28 billion in legacy debts—all accomplished
without seeking additional funding from the federal government.
Speaking at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series in
Lagos on Monday, the minister attributed these achievements to purposeful
leadership, strategic innovation, and the deployment of modern technology.
Themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” the event gathered business leaders,
government officials, and policy thinkers to explore bold approaches to
national transformation.
“Leadership is about anticipating problems and solving
them before they arise. You must ask yourself: what is your purpose, how do you
execute it, and when is the right time to act?” Tunji-Ojo emphasized.
He outlined the deployment of innovative systems such
as an e-visa platform, a contactless passport renewal system for Nigerians
abroad, and an enhanced passenger tracking system—all part of the interior
ministry’s reform agenda.
Turning attention to Nigeria’s correctional
facilities, the minister lamented the deplorable state of the prison system. He
revealed that over 4,000 inmates remain in detention simply because they cannot
afford fines as low as ?50,000.
“This isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a moral crisis.
When poverty is punished more severely than actual crime, society has lost its
sense of justice,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
To address the problem, the ministry is collaborating
with private donors to secure the release of non-violent offenders and is
pushing for rehabilitation-based reforms. These include digital case tracking,
vocational programs in prisons, and public-private partnerships to upgrade
prison infrastructure.
“A correctional centre should correct, not condemn.
Justice must be served with dignity,” he added.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede,
applauded the minister’s efforts, saying, “Innovation isn’t about big budgets;
it’s about bold thinking. Tunji-Ojo’s leadership is a refreshing model of
public service.”
The lecture series, hosted by Access Bank, is part of
a broader initiative to inspire transformative leadership and national
development through constructive dialogue.
In his closing remarks, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to
embrace purposeful living and strive for excellence.
“Let Access Bank be more than a bank—let it be a
mindset. Let Nigeria move from potential to performance. It’s time to refine
our genius, not just export it,” he concluded.
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