The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has called for a change in the mindset of public servants, urging them to embrace a private-sector approach to governance based on accountability, efficiency, and legacy-building.
Speaking to an audience of senior government officials and agency heads at the Sectoral Performance Review Retreat organised by the Ministry of Interior in Suleja, the minister emphasised that public office should not be treated as a reward but rather as a profound national trust.
“There are only about 60 members of the Federal Executive Council in a country of over 230 million. That is not a title; it is a responsibility,” he declared.
— Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (@BTOofficial) August 28, 2025
Dr. Tunji-Ojo likened public service to running a business, stating that the same sense of ownership, foresight, and dedication must drive government operations.
“Nobody runs their business to the ground. You work extra hours, continuity plans, and build legacies. That is the same energy we must bring into governance. Nigeria is our business,” he said.
In line with this philosophy, the minister unveiled major reforms implemented within the Ministry of Interior, highlighting the Centralised Interior Management and Administration System (CIMAS) as a key milestone.
CIMAS, he explained, integrates the operations of the ministry and its agencies into a single platform, significantly improving service delivery.
“What used to take months, such as processing permits and quotas, now takes just 72 hours. That’s the power of efficient systems,” he noted.
Symbolic Roles
Dr. Tunji-Ojo also addressed officers in uniform, describing their role as both symbolic and deeply consequential.
“The number of Nigerians in uniform is small, but the weight of their duty is massive. Wearing the nation’s colours is a badge of pride and an eternal responsibility,” he said, underscoring that public service is one of the greatest honours any citizen can receive.
He challenged attendees to view the retreat not only as a review of past performance but as a recommitment to future excellence.
“If we cannot hand over a better Nigeria to the next generation, then what are we doing? We are not just fixing systems; we are securing the future,” he said.
“The era of complacency is over. Performance is now the standard.”
Earlier in the programme, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), delivered a keynote address that echoed the minister’s message.
She commended the Ministry of Interior for exemplifying the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, praising its commitment to measurable impact and improved service delivery.
“The Ministry of Interior has stood out as a model of institutional performance. Initiatives such as faster passport and visa processing, data harmonisation, and the introduction of a multipurpose national ID card are clear indicators of progress,” she emphasised.
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Stressing the importance of citizens’ impact as the ultimate metric of success, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman stated, “Testimonials like ‘passports were issued in two days’ must become the norm, not the exception.”
She highlighted the need for continuous service optimisation, particularly in areas like identity management and NIN verification, which directly affect millions of Nigerians.
Drawing from both public sentiment and personal observations, she urged public servants to remain responsive and proactive.
“This Ministry has a direct interface with citizens. People feel your impact immediately—and they remember inefficiencies. That’s why you must be optimal at all times,” she said.
On the security front, Hajiya Hadiza also called for legislative reforms to modernise the country’s security framework. She advocated for an urgent amendment to the Private Guard Companies Act, arguing that it would allow private firms to take on non-core security roles — such as VIP protection — thereby freeing up law enforcement agencies for more critical national security responsibilities.
“We must relieve our police forces and ensure they focus on their primary duty — safeguarding national security,” she said.