By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

The Federal Ministry of Interior has reaffirmed its commitment to closer collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to improve public awareness of government reforms and achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while receiving the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and his delegation at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo said stronger collaboration between the two ministries would enhance transparency, promote national orientation and ensure accurate dissemination of government policies and reforms to Nigerians and the international community.

The minister explained that the Ministry of Interior supervises key agencies responsible for national security and internal administration, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service and the National Identity Management Commission.

According to him, significant reforms have been implemented across these agencies, resulting in improved service delivery, strengthened border management and enhanced national security.

Among the major achievements highlighted by the minister was the clearance of more than 204,000 passport applications inherited in 2023, which he said was resolved within two and a half weeks, effectively ending the backlog.

He also announced the introduction of a contactless passport renewal system designed to enable Nigerians in the diaspora to renew their passports through mobile devices without visiting embassies.

Tunji-Ojo further revealed that the government had established Nigeria’s first centralised passport personalisation centre in Abuja to strengthen passport security and integrity.

Nigeria has also been integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organization Public Key Directory, allowing Nigerian passports to be verified at border control systems around the world.

In the area of border management, the minister said advanced passenger screening systems, including Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record technologies, have been deployed to screen travellers before they arrive in the country.

He also disclosed that an 8.3-petabyte immigration data centre had been established to support modern migration management and border operations.
To improve passenger processing at airports, electronic immigration gates have been introduced at major international airports, while a new digital visa platform now allows foreign travellers to obtain Nigerian visas within 48 hours.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that more than 130 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the national identity database managed by the National Identity Management Commission.

The minister highlighted additional reforms in correctional services, including skills development programmes for inmates, improved healthcare services and increased feeding allowances in custodial centres.

He added that a National Fire Academy is being constructed to strengthen emergency response capacity nationwide, while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed Mining Marshals to tackle illegal mining activities across the country.

The government has also introduced the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card to facilitate passport-free travel for Nigerians within the West African sub-region under the framework of the Economic Community of West African States.

Tunji-Ojo stressed that despite these reforms, greater public awareness is needed, calling for stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Information to communicate the government’s achievements more effectively.

He also invited the Information Ministry to undertake a project tour of key facilities under the Interior Ministry to showcase ongoing reforms.

In his remarks, Information Minister Mohammed Idris commended Tunji-Ojo for what he described as “remarkable transformation” across agencies under the ministry.

He said better coordination of government messaging on security and governance reforms would improve Nigeria’s global image, attract foreign investment and ensure accurate information about the country is communicated internationally.

Idris also announced that Nigeria will host the World Public Relations Forum later this year in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, bringing communication professionals from around the world to the country.

He called on the Ministry of Interior to support the event by facilitating visas and protocol arrangements for international delegates.

Both ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in strategic communication, noting that reforms implemented over the past two and a half years demonstrate the government’s commitment to institutional transformation and improved service delivery.

Tunji-Ojo reiterated that the Ministry of Interior remains dedicated to supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ensuring that ongoing reforms translate into tangible benefits for Nigerians.