The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enhance transparency, effective communication and public engagement on matters of internal security and citizenship administration.
The Minister gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the NUJ to the Ministry in Abuja, expressing appreciation for the Union’s continued engagement and professional partnership.
Describing the Ministry of Interior as “the Ministry of the people”, Dr Tunji-Ojo noted that its core mandates, including citizenship and immigration services, internal security, border management and the protection of critical national assets, directly affect every Nigerian. He stressed that public understanding of these responsibilities is essential to strengthening national confidence and cohesion.
Highlighting the indispensable role of the media in democratic governance, the Minister observed that government institutions cannot operate in isolation. He noted that where verified information is not proactively communicated, speculation may arise, underscoring the importance of timely and factual dissemination in shaping public perception and building trust in public institutions.
Dr Tunji-Ojo described the relationship between the Ministry and the media as a strategic partnership anchored on accountability, transparency and national interest. He welcomed proposals for structured engagements, including regular press briefings and periodic interface sessions, stating that sustained communication would enable citizens to better appreciate ongoing reforms and service improvements within the Ministry.
While commending journalists for their balanced coverage of the Ministry’s activities, the Minister acknowledged that constructive criticism remains vital to institutional improvement. He added that responsible journalism contributes to policy refinement, strengthens governance processes and promotes informed public discourse in line with democratic principles.
Earlier, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahaya, accompanied by members of the National Executive Council and the FCT Council, stated that the visit was aimed at reinforcing institutional ties and identifying new areas of collaboration.
The NUJ leadership applauded the Ministry’s reform initiatives in internal security and reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with relevant agencies to promote national security awareness. The Union proposed quarterly ministerial press briefings to provide Nigerians with direct updates on the Ministry’s activities and reforms. It also invited the Minister to address its forthcoming National Executive Council meeting to further enlighten stakeholders on ongoing policy directions and achievements.
In addition, the NUJ sought collaboration in capacity development through its training institute, focusing on equipping journalists with deeper knowledge of security reporting, national interest considerations and responsible information dissemination.
Both parties agreed that sustained dialogue and structured engagement are essential to strengthening public confidence, promoting national unity and ensuring that citizens remain well informed on matters affecting internal security and governance.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to institutional collaboration in service to the Nigerian people, reflecting a collective resolve to advance transparency, trust and national development.