Tunji-Ojo has eliminated passport racketeering, transformed interior ministry, says Philip Agbese

Philip Agbese, deputy spokesperson of the house of representatives, says reforms initiated by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, have eliminated passport racketeering in the country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Agbese said Tunji-Ojo’s reforms have turned the ministry of interior into a “model of transparency and efficiency”.

“In less than a year, Dr Tunji-Ojo has transformed the ministry of interior from a bureaucratic enclave into a model of efficiency,” Agbese said.

“He cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs in just three weeks, introduced end-to-end automation that eliminated touting and racketeering, and opened new passport offices across several countries to serve Nigerians in the diaspora.

“Today, citizens can apply for and collect their passports within days, not months, and that’s a direct outcome of his leadership.”

The lawmaker said Tunji-Ojo’s reforms extended beyond the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

“He has brought structure and discipline into the correctional system. Over 4,500 inmates were released to decongest our overcrowded prisons, biometric systems have been deployed to track escapees, and jailbreaks have practically become a thing of the past,” he said.

Agbese said the minister’s focus on human capital development within the paramilitary agencies has also restored morale and professionalism.

“He ensured timely promotions, introduced digital monitoring systems, and improved the welfare of officers. The ministry has become a place of dignity and performance,” the lawmaker added.

“Under his supervision, it generated over N6 billion in revenue last year alone, proving that transparency and efficiency can go hand in hand.”

Until recently, obtaining a Nigerian passport was slow and cumbersome, forcing many applicants to resort to intermediaries who offered to fast-track applications for a fee.

The process was marred by inefficiencies and irregular practices, leaving many citizens frustrated and sceptical of the system.