The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening efficiency, improving internal security, and delivering measurable results across public institutions.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the remarks at the International Civil Service Conference themed “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” where he underscored the need to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder effective governance.
According to him, Nigeria’s public service must urgently shift away from excessive procedures and redundant processes, which he described as major obstacles to innovation and service delivery. “Complexity is the enemy of progress,” he said, adding that simplifying systems remains key to unlocking efficiency across government institutions.
Tunji-Ojo further warned that the era of routine governance without measurable outcomes is over. “Business as usual has no place in public service. Citizens now expect results, not excuses,” he said, stressing that public trust must be earned through performance, accountability, and innovation.
He explained that effective reform depends on a clear understanding of existing challenges, noting that policymakers must first identify “what is,” define “what ought to be,” and then determine “how” to bridge the gap through structured interventions. He added that many reform efforts fail due to poor problem definition.
The Minister also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, commending civil servants within the Ministry of Interior for their dedication to ongoing reforms. He said their professionalism has been central to recent progress recorded in the sector.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to internal security, Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms would strengthen institutional capacity and improve operational efficiency in line with national priorities.
The conference featured contributions from policymakers, diplomats, and industry leaders, and was moderated by media professional Stephanie Bussari.
