The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that the Federal Government has successfully cleared more than 200,000 pending passport applications and paid off ₦28 billion in outstanding debt — all achieved without seeking extra financial support from the national budget.
Tunji-Ojo made this known during his keynote speech at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday. The event, themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” highlighted the significance of forward-thinking leadership and the transformative impact of technology in public service.
According to the minister, proactive governance is key to addressing systemic issues.
“Leadership is about anticipating problems and acting on them before they become crises. You must define your mission, plan your execution, and time your actions wisely,” he said.
He credited the progress in passport processing and debt clearance to strategic reforms and the adoption of digital solutions, including the rollout of an e-visa system, contactless passport renewal for Nigerians abroad, and improved passenger screening methods.
Tunji-Ojo also addressed the poor state of correctional centres across the country, drawing attention to the plight of over 4,000 inmates who remain incarcerated due to their inability to pay minor fines, some as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not merely a legal problem but a question of conscience. When poverty is treated as a crime, justice becomes distorted,” he said.
The minister added that steps are being taken to partner with private donors to secure the release of these low-risk inmates and to push reforms aimed at shifting correctional facilities from punitive institutions to rehabilitative centres.
Key proposals include digital case tracking, vocational training for inmates, and collaborations to upgrade the conditions in prisons.
“A correctional facility should be a place for transformation, not punishment. Justice without compassion is simply injustice wearing a different face,” Tunji-Ojo remarked.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, applauded the minister for his forward-looking approach and dedication to public sector innovation.
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