FG clears 200,000 passport backlog, settles ₦28bn debt — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced significant achievements by the Federal Government, including the clearance of over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and the repayment of ₦28 billion in longstanding debts—all accomplished without requiring additional government funding.

Tunji-Ojo made these remarks during the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday, where he delivered a keynote address titled “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate.”

Speaking on the importance of proactive and visionary leadership, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the crucial need for system reforms and the strategic use of technology to drive national development.

The minister credited the remarkable success in passport clearance and debt repayment to the introduction of innovative systems and technologies. These include the e-visa platform, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians in the diaspora, and advanced passenger tracking systems, which have streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency.

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Tunji-Ojo also addressed the critical state of Nigeria’s correctional system, which he candidly described as “in bad shape.”

He revealed a concerning statistic: more than 4,000 inmates are currently imprisoned simply because they cannot afford to pay fines as low as ₦50,000.

He called for urgent reforms in both the justice and correctional systems to address such pressing issues, noting that many of the challenges can be resolved through thoughtful planning, innovation, and purposeful leadership.

The minister’s remarks have sparked broader conversations on the imperative for a more technology-driven and compassionate approach to governance in Nigeria, particularly within critical sectors such as immigration and criminal justice.