Minister calls for stronger performance across immigration, correctional and other interior services, urges passage of modern fire service law.
By Joy Onu
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged agencies under his ministry to move beyond legal mandates and deliver measurable results that directly benefit Nigerians.
At the 2026 Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Tunji-Ojo stressed that statutory authority alone is not enough. He challenged agency heads to ensure policies and programs translate into practical actions on the ground.
“It is one thing for the law to give you a mandate; it is another thing for you to be able to act and truly play your role,” he said, urging staff to prioritise tangible outcomes.
Addressing the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the minister called for a stronger operational structure that positions the corps as the lead institution in protecting national assets and critical infrastructure.
He emphasised that government officers must take ownership of their responsibilities. “We are not just here to carry pens; we are here to carry responsibility because there is a security duty we must fulfil,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also highlighted the need for accessibility in government services, insisting that protection should reach all Nigerians, regardless of political connections or personal networks. “We want a system where a businessman or an ordinary Nigerian can access protection without knowing the minister or anyone in authority,” he said.
On legislative priorities, the minister appealed to the National Assembly of Nigeria to expedite the passage of the Fire and Rescue Service Act. The current law, enacted in 1963, limits the fire service largely to operational duties, unlike modern services worldwide which combine regulatory, administrative, and operational authority.
“We need a Fire and Rescue Service that complies with the demands of our time,” Tunji-Ojo said, adding that emergency systems must focus equally on prevention and response.
The minister also cited progress within the Nigeria Immigration Service, which has established an Integrated Operations Centre to track migration and border entries over the past decade. The system provides detailed data on entries, exits, and investment activities, enhancing border security and monitoring capabilities.
“With this system, we can access comprehensive records of individuals who entered the country in the last ten years, including where they came from and other relevant data,” he explained.
While recognising progress across agencies, Tunji-Ojo acknowledged that more work remains to ensure reforms benefit all Nigerians. “There is still a lot to be done. Not until every Nigerian is captured in our systems and benefits from improved services can we truly say we have succeeded,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, described the retreat as an opportunity for institutional reflection, strategic planning, and performance evaluation across all agencies. She said the event’s theme, “Accountable Leadership: Measuring Impact, Refining Results and Renewing Commitments,” underscores the ministry’s focus on translating leadership into tangible outcomes.
Ajani added that ongoing reforms target strengthening institutional capacity, modernising operational systems, improving transparency, and enhancing collaboration among agencies responsible for internal security, border management, citizenship, and emergency services.
The retreat convened senior officials and agency heads to review policies, assess performance, and develop actionable strategies to improve service delivery across Nigeria’s interior sector.
