· A peep into the economic, education, interior agenda

· The stand-out ministry, poster boy of administration

By Nnamdi Ojiego

At the midpoint of his first term, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has steered Nigeria through a landscape of complex economic, security, and governance challenges. Inheriting a nation grappling with inflation, dwindling oil revenues, and persistent insecurity, the Tinubu administration has set in motion a series of policy shifts aimed at structural reform.

While progress has been mixed across sectors, certain ministries have emerged as symbols of decisive leadership and reform-minded innovation. Chief among these is the Ministry of Interior, led by Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose technocratic approach and reform agenda have drawn both national and international praise.

Economic Reform

One of Tinubu’s earliest and most controversial economic decisions was the removal of the fuel subsidy, a move aimed at freeing public funds for infrastructure and social investments. Though it triggered short-term pain in the form of increased transportation and food prices, the policy was hailed by economists as a bold step toward correcting Nigeria’s fiscal imbalance.

Accompanying this was the unification of the exchange rate, which sought to curb arbitrage and improve transparency in Nigeria’s forex market. These decisions, though destabilizing initially, laid the groundwork for longer-term stabilization. In his mid-term scorecard, Tinubu’s team points to increased investor interest, growing foreign reserves, and the implementation of a more disciplined fiscal strategy under the supervision of Finance Minister, Wale Edun.

However, critics argue that the pace of economic cushioning has been too slow, and ordinary Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of inflation and unemployment. The administration’s flagship social intervention, the renewed hope conditional cash transfer program, has begun roll-out but still struggles with reach and effectiveness.

Incremental Progress

The Ministry of Works, led by Engr. Dave Umahi, has championed the continuation and completion of legacy road projects while initiating new ones like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. Despite controversies over environmental and displacement issues, the project is touted as a game-changer for southern economic integration.

Rail development also continues, with efforts to expand the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Kano-Maradi lines under the Ministry of Transportation. These projects, often reliant on foreign financing, remain vulnerable to funding delays but represent the administration’s commitment to modernizing transport infrastructure.

Seeds of Reform

Recognizing the importance of agriculture to national security and employment, the Tinubu administration launched the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and the Special Agro-Processing Zones initiative. These programs aim to boost productivity through mechanization, improved access to inputs, and value chain development. However, insecurity in rural areas, particularly in the North, continues to hamper food production and logistics.

Finishing Lines

Efforts in health and education have been incremental. The administration has expanded enrollment into the National Health Insurance Scheme and introduced incentives to retain medical professionals. In education, the Student Loan Act was passed to support tertiary education funding, although implementation bottlenecks persist.

Complex Terrain

Perhaps the most daunting challenge of the Tinubu administration has been national security. Banditry in the North-West, separatist agitations in the South-East, and oil bunkering in the Niger Delta all remain pressing concerns. While the President appointed former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser to streamline intelligence operations, results have been mixed.

Military operations have seen tactical successes, and the introduction of a national biometric identity system is being revived to better monitor internal threats. Here, the Ministry of Interior plays a pivotal role in the broader national security architecture.

Stand-out Ministry

If there is one sector where change has been both visible and impactful, it is internal governance, specifically, the Ministry of Interior under Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. A technocrat and former lawmaker with an engineering background, Tunji-Ojo has distinguished himself as one of the most effective ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet.

Digital Revolution

One of Tunji-Ojo’s most applauded achievements is the sweeping reform of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). He inherited a system plagued by inefficiencies, delays, and public distrust, particularly over passport issuance. Within months, the Ministry launched an end-to-end digital passport processing system, drastically reducing turnaround time and eliminating the need for third-party agents.

Today, Nigerians can apply and track passport processing online with greater ease. Over one million backlogged passport applications were cleared in record time in late 2023, marking a turning point in public perception. The introduction of e-gates at international airports, biometric verification systems, and centralized data management is gradually aligning Nigeria’s immigration framework with international standards.

Centers of Reform

Nigeria’s overburdened and underfunded correctional system had long cried out for reform. Tunji-Ojo took a hands-on approach, initiating a comprehensive audit of inmates and their offenses, which led to the decongestion of several prisons across the country. Thousands of non-violent offenders, particularly those held due to inability to pay fines, were released through a coalition effort with civil society and the private sector.

More importantly, he launched a national correctional reform framework to turn prisons into true centers of rehabilitation. This includes introducing vocational training, digital learning programs, and public-private partnerships to improve inmate welfare. His ministry is also championing legislation to modernize Nigeria’s outdated correctional laws.

Modern Tools

Under Tunji-Ojo, the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have seen renewed attention. Investment in equipment, training, and rapid response infrastructure has led to more professional service delivery. For the Fire Service, new fire trucks and the establishment of state-wide emergency response units have enhanced operational efficiency, especially in urban centers.

The NSCDC, often overlooked in national security discourse, has been repositioned to support community policing and critical infrastructure protection. Tunji-Ojo’s strategy emphasizes intelligence gathering and coordination with other security agencies, helping the NSCDC evolve from a passive presence to an active player in Nigeria’s internal security network.

Holistic Vision

In a country with porous borders, internal security cannot be divorced from border management. The Ministry has ramped up surveillance and initiated cross-agency collaboration with Customs, Immigration, and the Office of the NSA. Plans are underway for the establishment of the Nigeria Border Security Force, a specialized unit to handle high-risk border zones.

Additionally, the Interior Ministry has been instrumental in harmonizing citizen data through its collaboration with NIMC and the National Population Commission. The goal is a single national identity system to support law enforcement and service delivery.

Digital Governance

Dr. Tunji-Ojo also brings a strong human resources ethic to governance. He launched a staff welfare initiative across all paramilitary services under his purview, addressing long-standing grievances about promotion delays, housing, and health insurance.

A staunch advocate of digital governance, the Minister has pushed for e-governance platforms across agencies. From e-recruitment portals to online complaints redressal mechanisms, the Ministry is gradually embedding transparency and responsiveness into its operations.

Tunji-Ojo: Poster Boy for Next-Gen Governance?

In the court of public opinion, Tunji-Ojo stands out not just for reforms but for his style, youthful, data-driven, and unapologetically result-oriented. His ability to communicate effectively, avoid political distractions, and prioritize citizen-facing reforms makes him one of the most talked-about ministers in the Tinubu cabinet. Analysts speculate on his future political ambitions, but for now, his focus remains on deepening reforms in his portfolio.

Looking Ahead

With two years left in the administration, the Tinubu presidency must now shift gears from foundational reforms to visible, citizen-impacting results. The economic reforms must translate to jobs and lower inflation. Security strategies must produce sustainable peace. Infrastructure projects must be completed, and human capital investment must accelerate.

For this to happen, President Tinubu will need to lean more on his most effective hands—ministers like Tunji-Ojo—who have demonstrated the capacity to turn ideas into impact. As mid-term assessments give way to 2027 election permutations, governance will remain the ultimate metric of success.

While President Tinubu’s mid-term record is marked by bold, often painful decisions and cautious progress in many sectors, certain ministries provide cause for optimism. The Ministry of Interior, under Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, offers a template for what public service can achieve with focus, transparency, and innovation. If replicated across the cabinet, such performance could be the difference between a legacy of excuses and a record of transformation.