Showunmi: How Tunji-Ojo pushed reforms in Interior Ministry

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been credited with spearheading wide-ranging reforms across Nigeria’s internal security and immigration architecture, with significant milestones recorded in 2024 and 2025. Politician and social commentator, Segun Showunmi, said this in a statement, on Wednesday. He said the minister’s performance has distinguished him within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, […]

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been credited with spearheading wide-ranging reforms across Nigeria’s internal security and immigration architecture, with significant milestones recorded in 2024 and 2025.

Politician and social commentator, Segun Showunmi, said this in a statement, on Wednesday.

He said the minister’s performance has distinguished him within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, citing improvements in immigration services, border management, paramilitary welfare and correctional reforms.

According to Showunmi, the Ministry of Interior reset its operations in 2024, shifting from what he described as “reactive management to proactive reform” across agencies under its supervision.

He said a major highlight was the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex, which integrates passport personalisation, visa processing and identity data management into a single digital ecosystem.

“Passport backlogs that once symbolised public frustration were confronted through workflow reform, capacity expansion and oversight,”

Showunmi stated, adding that border management had also been digitised.

The statement noted that in 2025, the ministry launched a Contactless Passport Renewal System for Nigerians in the diaspora, aimed at easing access to consular services through biometric verification and secure digital platforms.

“The reform intent was translated into measurable outcomes with the contactless passport system, aligning Nigeria with global best practice,” he said.

Showunmi also listed the introduction of an electronic visa regime, automated e-gates at major airports, an advanced passenger information system and a new Command and Control Centre with a 1.4-petabyte data facility as part of the reforms to strengthen border governance.

He said internal security measures were expanded through increased surveillance around critical infrastructure by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Mining Marshal initiative to curb illegal mining.
On welfare, the statement claimed that more than 100,000 paramilitary officers had been promoted within two years, while approvals were secured for the recruitment of 30,000 personnel and the establishment of a Paramilitary Pensions Board.

The statement further highlighted reforms in the correctional system, including improved healthcare, expanded education programmes and vocational training aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.