Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and paid off ₦28 billion in inherited debts, all without additional budgetary allocations.
He made the disclosure during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series in Lagos on Monday, where he spoke on the theme: “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate.”
Tunji-Ojo credited the achievements to strategic planning, innovation, and technology, highlighting new initiatives such as e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking systems.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems but anticipating and solving them,” he said. “You must always ask: What is your purpose, how will you execute it, and when is the right time to act?”
Addressing Nigeria’s prison system, the minister described its condition as dire, revealing that over 4,000 inmates remain incarcerated for being unable to pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not just a legal crisis, it is a moral one,” he said. “A society that punishes poverty more than crime has lost its moral compass.”
He noted that the ministry is partnering with private donors to secure the release of non-violent offenders and is pushing reforms focused on rehabilitation, not just punishment. These include digital case tracking, vocational training, and prison condition upgrades.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he added.
Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede praised Tunji-Ojo’s approach, saying, “Innovation isn’t about big budgets, it’s about big thinking. His work exemplifies true public service.”
The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and development experts as part of Access Bank’s ongoing effort to inspire national progress through dialogue on leadership and innovation.
In closing, Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to live with purpose and pursue excellence:
“Let Access Bank be a philosophy, not just a financial institution. Let Nigeria be a nation of performance, not just potential. It’s time to refine our genius—not just export it.”
