The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening institutional reforms, improving service delivery and strengthening internal security administration through accountability and performance-driven leadership across agencies under the Ministry.
Speaking at the 2026 Management Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Minister commended the leadership and staff for advancing reform initiatives aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed that past achievements must not breed complacency but serve as a springboard for higher performance standards.
“Yesterday belongs to history. What truly defines our future is what we do today. While we have recorded significant milestones, we must continue to raise the bar and pursue greater achievements in delivering efficient services to Nigerians,” he said.
He highlighted the Ministry’s strategic role in national governance, noting that its mandates span identity management, border administration, correctional services, internal security and citizenship services — all of which directly affect citizens’ daily lives.
The Minister also lauded the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, for her administrative leadership and coordination in implementing key performance agreements and reform policies within the Ministry. He attributed recent successes to the collaborative efforts of management, agency heads and dedicated personnel working to enhance operational efficiency and policy execution.
In her remarks, Dr. Ajani described the retreat as a vital platform for institutional reflection, performance evaluation and strategic planning. She noted that the theme, “Accountable Leadership: Measuring Impact, Refining Results and Renewing Commitments,” underscores the Ministry’s resolve to ensure leadership translates into measurable outcomes for citizens.
According to her, accountability remains fundamental because the Ministry’s agencies impact millions of Nigerians daily through internal security administration, migration and citizenship services, and border management.
She revealed that reforms have been intensified to strengthen institutional capacity, modernise operational systems, enhance transparency and improve inter-agency collaboration in line with national development priorities.
Dr. Ajani emphasised the need for data-driven performance management, clear key performance indicators and robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to shift from activity-based reporting to outcome-based governance.
She also underscored the importance of digital transformation in improving efficiency across identity management systems, border control operations and emergency response coordination, noting that technology-driven reforms will enhance transparency and reduce inefficiencies.
While highlighting systems and technology, she maintained that human capital remains the Ministry’s most critical asset, calling for sustained investment in staff development, ethical standards and merit-based performance culture.
The retreat featured goodwill messages from key stakeholders, including representatives of the House of Representatives Committees on Interior and Reformatory Institutions, as well as the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Speakers commended the Ministry’s reform trajectory and stressed the importance of sustained executive-legislative collaboration in strengthening internal security governance.
The gathering brought together top management staff, heads of agencies and senior officials to review performance indicators, refine policy strategies and develop actionable frameworks aimed at improving service delivery across the interior sector.
In a statement by Mrs. Mary Ali, Head of Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, Abuja, on March 5, 2026, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to accountable leadership, measurable impact and sustained reforms across the interior sector.
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