A youth empowerment group, Mandate Defenders, has commended the recent elevation of 4,508 personnel by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The non-government organisation also praised the minister for “his exceptional contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s homeland security, describing him as the “star boy” of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration.
The group highlighted the minister’s transformative initiatives that have reshaped the Ministry of Interior, placing national security and internal affairs at the forefront.
In a statement signed by Hon. Danielson Akpan, the National Convener of Mandate Defenders, the group expressed admiration for the minister’s relentless drive to improve efficiency across key parastatals under his purview.
Among the standout achievements cited was the modernisation of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), where over 220,000 passport backlogs were cleared in under a month, and the promotion of 4,508 personnel to improve operational effectiveness.
“The Minister has not only lived up to expectations but has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his desire for change is immeasurable,” the statement read. “He has turned around the fortunes of the Federal Ministry of Interior, improving homeland security through practical, bold reforms.”
One of the key achievements highlighted by Mandate Defenders was the redesign of the passport enrolment portal, transforming it into a seamless, automated system that allows citizens to access services from their mobile phones. The group also lauded the minister for constituting a committee to streamline visa enrolment for short-stay visitors, in line with the government’s #RenewedHope Agenda to boost tourism and foreign investment.
Tunji-Ojo’s efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders also earned high praise, particularly his commissioning of 30 new patrol vehicles for border security and the installation of e-Gate facilities at major international airports across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.
“Minister Tunji-Ojo is homeland security personified,” the statement continued. “His actions speak volumes of his commitment to achieving success under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Mandate Defenders also pointed to significant strides made in other areas, including the promotion of 21,385 personnel within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the launch of new surveillance vehicles to bolster security efforts nationwide. In addition, the group praised the creation of special task forces such as the Power Rangers to protect vital power infrastructure and the Mining Marshals, established to combat vandalism in the country’s mining sector.
“These initiatives reflect the minister’s holistic approach to safeguarding critical sectors of the nation’s economy,” Akpan noted.
Further highlighting the minister’s performance, Mandate Defenders praised his role in decongesting Nigeria’s correctional facilities, a move that raised over N600 million from corporate organizations to pay the fines of more than 4,000 inmates. This, the group observed, has potentially saved the government N1 billion annually in feeding costs.
In their statement, Mandate Defenders emphasized that the minister’s work extends beyond security and law enforcement. His support for education through initiatives like the Safe Schools Initiative and the ground-breaking ceremony for the CEDOWA Group of Schools for the children of staff members was also commended.
Despite the nation’s current economic challenges, the group encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, citing Minister Tunji-Ojo’s transformative efforts as evidence of the administration’s commitment to better governance. “Tunji-Ojo has put smiles on the faces of parastatals under his watch,” the statement concluded.
Mandate Defenders vowed to continue spotlighting high-performing officials in government, while also holding accountable those who fall short of expectations.
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