Nigeria’s interior ministry holds strategic retreat to enhance national security
The Ministry of Interior began a two-day Performance Contracting Retreat in Abuja, beginning on Monday, 28 October 2024, to align its agencies with Nigeria’s national security objectives.
This retreat is part of efforts to support the Presidential priority on security and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda set by President Tinubu.
Key attendees included the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Permanent Secretary Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and the Ministry’s top directors and agency heads.
In his opening address, Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed the Ministry’s crucial role in Nigeria’s future.
“Our work is foundational to the future of Nigeria,” he said. “Without security, we cannot discuss investment, tourism, industrialisation, or employment. This Ministry is a core pillar of national progress, and today’s gathering is about setting ambitious targets, holding ourselves accountable, and ensuring our collective efforts truly benefit Nigerians.”
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasised the distinct responsibilities of each agency under the Ministry’s umbrella.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) is focused on transforming correctional facilities into centres of rehabilitation, while the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) ensures rigorous border control and oversight of foreign entrants.
Each agency, he said, contributes directly to securing Nigeria’s future.
He encouraged agency heads to adopt transformative measures within their respective mandates, stating, “Your efforts, no matter how small, are essential to building the ocean of security that Nigeria requires. This retreat is about reinforcing our shared mission and ensuring that every action contributes to a safer, more resilient Nigeria.”
Dr. Ajani, the Permanent Secretary, also stressed the retreat’s theme, “United Front for a Secure Nation and Future,” as a call for greater collaboration among agencies.
She described the retreat as a pivotal moment for the Ministry to set measurable security targets and fulfil the Presidential agenda.
“Today’s retreat transcends formalities,” she remarked. “It’s a defining moment for our Ministry as we commit ourselves to set measurable targets that reflect our impact on the nation’s security and well-being. We are signing more than just contracts; we are making a covenant of accountability with the Nigerian people.”
During the retreat, each agency under the Ministry of Interior is tasked to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure their contributions to national security goals.
