FG Clears 200,000 Passport Backlogs, Settles N28bn Debt, Says Interior Minister
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.
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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.
By PRNigeria
