As Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Revolutionises Nigeria’s Immigration Service

For decades, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and a culture of impunity. The appointment of Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Minister of Interior by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has however, sparked a revolutionary transformation within the agency. Since assuming office, Tunji-Ojo has implemented reforms that have enhanced service delivery, ensured merit-based promotions, and held officers accountable, ending years of decadence in the system. His work has elevated the NIS into a modern, secure, and effective immigration service that now plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s national security and global competitiveness.

Vision For Modern And Efficient Immigration Service.

The core vision of the NIS under Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is to create a modern, effective, and efficient immigration service that strengthens Nigeria’s security while fostering prosperity. His goal is to manage migration and border security proactively, ensuring that the NIS provides seamless services to Nigerian citizens while safeguarding the nation’s borders from potential threats.

The transformation process, driven by technological innovation, has been fundamental in achieving this vision.

Tunji-Ojo’s leadership emphasizes efficiency, transparency, and the use of cutting-edge technology to streamline immigration processes and improve staff welfare. These reforms have not only modernized the NIS but have also made it more responsive to the evolving needs of the country and its citizens.

Ending Decades Of Decadence: Clearing Passport Backlog

One of the most significant challenges facing the NIS, when Tunji-Ojo took office was the massive passport backlog, which had left hundreds of thousands of Nigerians waiting for months to receive their travel documents. The minister’s administration set out to address this issue head-on, prioritizing the swift clearing of the backlog.

At the time of his appointment, a staggering 204,332 passport application backlog needed clearing. Through the implementation of streamlined processes, increased staffing at passport centres, and enhanced online application systems, Tunji-Ojo’s administration cleared the backlog in record time. This move not only alleviated the burden on Nigerians but also restored public trust in the NIS’s ability to provide timely and efficient services.

Introducing Contactless Biometric Passports

Another major innovation introduced by Tunji-Ojo’s NIS is the contactless biometric passport. This move is in line with international trends toward secure and efficient travel documentation. The new biometric passports incorporate advanced technology, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, ensuring greater security and preventing identity fraud.

The contactless feature ensures that Nigerians can now renew their passports without the need to travel long distances, which was previously a significant inconvenience. This breakthrough aligns with Tunji-Ojo’s commitment and also with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make Nigeria’s immigration services more accessible and user-friendly, ultimately making it easier for Nigerians to travel internationally with peace of mind.

The e-Gates: Objectivity And Efficiency In Border Control

One of the most transformative advancements in Nigeria’s immigration infrastructure has been the introduction of the E-gates at several international airports. These automated systems have revolutionized the way travellers are processed, eliminating the previous issues of subjective profiling and long wait times at immigration checkpoints.

The e-gates enable travellers to be profiled objectively based on biometric data, ensuring a more secure and efficient immigration process. Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has emphasized that with the E-gates, Nigerians and foreigners alike will no longer face the uncertainty of manual profiling; instead, they will be processed through an objective and precise technological system, improving both security and passenger experience.

By facilitating quicker and more accurate border processing, the E-gates are helping Nigeria move towards a more modern, digitalized, and secure immigration system.

Command And Control Center: (BATIC): Strengthening Border Security

A central part of the reforms under Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s leadership has been the establishment of the Command and Control Center for the Nigeria Immigration Service. This state-of-the-art data and surveillance centre plays a pivotal role in monitoring and managing Nigeria’s borders. It is designed to store and process massive amounts of data, ensuring real-time, coordinated responses to security threats at the country’s borders.

The Command and Control Center is capable of storing up to 1.4 petabytes of data, a technological advancement that enables the NIS to quickly access critical information for decision-making and security operations. The centre also houses a digital border monitoring system, which enables seamless tracking of individuals entering and exiting the country, ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are secure and its citizens are protected.

A significant milestone in the modernization of the NIS is the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), which symbolizes the NIS’s commitment to technological advancement, resilience, and bold innovation. This complex houses several key technological infrastructure projects, including the solar farm with a capacity of 4.1 megawatts of battery storage and a 5-megawatt output. This solar farm ensures that the NIS’s critical operations receive an uninterrupted power supply for up to 72 hours, even in the event of a power outage. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave a mandate to all appointed Ministers to make sure Nigerians enjoy the sweet experience and this can be seen in how Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo carries out the mandate.

In addition to the solar farm, the complex includes a cutting-edge data centre that ensures the secure, centralized storage of critical information, which can now be easily accessed and retrieved when needed. This system is designed to eliminate concerns about data loss or damage, contributing to more efficient and reliable operations.

Transforming Nigeria’s Immigration Service
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been nothing short of transformative. His commitment to improving staff welfare and eliminating decades of inefficiency. Additionally, the Minister’s firm stance on discipline has led to the sanctioning of several officers involved in corrupt practices. While the exact number of officers disciplined remains undisclosed, reports indicate that multiple officers have been suspended or dismissed for unethical behaviour. This bold action sends a clear message that the days of impunity within the NIS are over.

All of which has reshaped the NIS into a modern, effective, and secure immigration service. With the clearing of the passport backlog, the introduction of the contactless biometric passport, the deployment of E-gates, and the establishment of the Command and Control Center, Nigeria is now better positioned to manage migration, enhance security, and facilitate seamless travel for its citizens.

Tunji-Ojo’s work embodies a clear vision for the future—one where technology and efficiency combine to ensure that Nigeria’s borders are secure, its citizens are well-served, and the country is positioned as a leader in immigration management. Through his efforts, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has not only revitalized the NIS but also contributed significantly to the strength and prosperity of Nigeria. Nigerians will forever be grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of a selfless and Visionary Minister like Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Taiwo Olatunbosun and Zainab Salawu write from the Society for Governance and Accountability