LAGOS – The Federal Government has successfully cleared a backlog of over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and settled ₦28 billion in legacy debts — all without receiving additional funding. Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday.
Delivering a keynote address at the event themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of visionary leadership, systemic reform, and technology in transforming public service.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems. It is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur,” he said, adding that his ministry’s recent strides were made possible through strategic planning and technological innovation.
He highlighted several initiatives driving progress, including the launch of an e-visa platform, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and an advanced passenger tracking system. These, he said, were game-changers in improving service delivery without placing extra financial burden on the government.
The minister also addressed the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, describing the situation as a moral crisis. He revealed that more than 4,000 inmates remain in custody due to their inability to pay 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,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He announced that the ministry is partnering with private donors to facilitate the release of non-violent inmates and is actively pushing for a shift from punitive to rehabilitative justice. Proposed reforms include digital case tracking systems, vocational training for inmates, and improved living conditions within correctional centres.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” the minister added.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, lauded Tunji-Ojo’s leadership, describing it as an example of effective governance driven by innovation and purpose.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, applauding the minister’s efforts as a blueprint for impactful public service.
The event, which brought together government officials, business leaders, and policy experts, is part of Access Bank’s ongoing initiative to promote national transformation through thought leadership.
Closing his address, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to embrace purpose-driven living and national excellence.
“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 said.
