In a bold declaration of reform, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Federal Government has successfully cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs and settled ₦28 billion in inherited debts—without requesting a single naira in additional funding. The announcement came during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held Monday in Lagos.
Addressing a packed hall of business leaders and public servants, Tunji-Ojo spoke on the theme “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate.” His speech was more than motivational—it was a blueprint for what public service can achieve with vision, grit, and good governance.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems,” the Minister said. “It’s about foreseeing them—and solving them—before they even arise.”
Backlogs of over 200,000 passport applications have now been cleared, and old debts amounting to ₦28 billion settled, all done without special funding. Instead, Tunji-Ojo credited the feat to smart planning, technology, and aggressive system reform.
Among the innovations introduced are:
- e-visa platforms
- Contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad
- Advanced passenger tracking systems
The Minister’s candor also extended to Nigeria’s prison system, which he described as “in terrible shape.” He revealed a grim reality: over 4,000 inmates are locked up simply because they can’t pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not a legal crisis,” Tunji-Ojo said, visibly moved. “It’s a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more than crime has lost its moral compass.”
In a move driven by empathy and justice, the ministry is working with private donors to secure the release of these low-level, non-violent offenders. Meanwhile, deeper reforms are underway, including:
- Digital case tracking
- Vocational training for inmates
- Strategic partnerships to improve prison conditions
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn,” the Minister insisted. “Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise.”
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended Tunji-Ojo’s approach, calling it “an example of what real public service should look like.”
“Innovation is not about big budgets—it’s about big thinking,” he remarked.
The lecture series, hosted by Access Bank, brought together leaders from across sectors in a bid to inspire transformative leadership in Nigeria.
In his closing remarks, the Minister didn’t hold back on vision:
“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’s time to refine our genius, not just export it.
Need for Update:
The Ministry’s efforts to decongest prisons and overhaul internal systems are ongoing. More updates are expected as reforms progress.
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