Nigerians across social media and civil society groups are applauding the reforms introduced by Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, citing visible improvements in the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service, correctional facilities and allied agencies since his appointment in August 2023.

Under his leadership, longstanding bottlenecks in passport administration were tackled, with over 200,000 previously unprinted international passports cleared after production was centralized and scaled up to about 5,000 passports daily. The move ended months of frustration for applicants and restored confidence in the immigration process, despite initial technical glitches on application portals.

Within the Nigeria Correctional Service, Tunji-Ojo has also driven reforms aimed at decongesting prisons and improving welfare. Thousands of inmates have been released through accelerated case reviews and non-custodial measures, easing overcrowding across facilities. Feeding allowances for inmates were reviewed, while the minister’s frequent on-the-ground inspections signaled a shift toward closer oversight and accountability.

Staff welfare has been another focal point of the reforms. About 70,000 officers across interior agencies have been promoted, addressing years of stagnation. Recruitment exercises were expanded, with women securing roughly 35 per cent of new intakes, a move widely praised for promoting gender inclusion in the security sector.

Recent infographics circulated online summarizing these interventions have fueled public praise, with many Nigerians describing the minister as a “talk-and-do” leader who has matched policy promises with execution. While challenges remain, including the need for sustained system upgrades, supporters say the reforms mark one of the most impactful periods for Nigeria’s interior agencies in recent years.

By Naomi Jeremiah