FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, settles ₦28bn debts – Tunji-Ojo
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced that the Federal Government has successfully processed over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications since he took office.
During his speech at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series in Lagos, he also revealed that ₦28 billion in outstanding debts has been cleared, all without additional government funding.
Speaking on the theme “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for bold leadership and innovative reforms in governance. He stated, “Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur.” He urged leaders to consider their purpose, execution plans, and the timeliness of their actions.
Tunji-Ojo discussed how the Ministry has leveraged technology and innovative systems to alleviate passport processing delays and address financial liabilities. New measures implemented include e-visa platforms, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians living abroad, and advanced passenger tracking systems.
Addressing the country’s correctional system, he expressed concern that over 4,000 inmates remain behind bars simply due to the inability to pay fines as low as ₦50,000. Tunji-Ojo remarked, “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.” To address this issue, the Ministry is collaborating with private donors to assist in the release of non-violent offenders and is advocating for reforms emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment.
He noted the introduction of initiatives such as digital case tracking and vocational training programs within prisons, aiming to improve the overall conditions of correctional facilities. “A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he added.
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings, praised Tunji-Ojo’s leadership, stating, “Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking.” He acknowledged the Minister’s efforts as a true reflection of exemplary public service.
The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and industry experts, all aimed at sparking national change through discussions on leadership and service. In his closing remarks, Tunji-Ojo encouraged everyone to strive for excellence, stating, “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.”
Source: PUNCH
