Passports, Visa, Correctional Reforms Taking Nigeria to New Level, Says Minister

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has declared that the series of reforms undertaken in the country’s passport, visa, and correctional service systems are lifting Nigeria to a new level of efficiency, credibility, and global competitiveness.

Speaking on the achievements of his ministry, the minister highlighted sweeping changes that have redefined service delivery in the critical sectors under his watch.

On passports, he revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cleared more than 200,000 backlogs in just three weeks and settled over ₦28 billion in outstanding debt without requesting additional government funds. According to him, more than 3.5 million passports have been issued in the last year, while new automated systems have cut processing times to as little as two to three weeks for applicants with no data issues.

The ministry, he added, now saves over ₦1 billion annually through streamlined documentation and digital platforms, while new technologies have enhanced the authenticity and international acceptance of Nigerian e-passports.

Visa processing has also been transformed. The minister explained that a new electronic visa system allows applicants to apply online and receive approval within 24 to 48 hours, a move that removes bottlenecks and eliminates sharp practices. With the unification of visa approval centers, the process has become faster, more transparent, and aligned with international best practices.

On correctional services, Tunji-Ojo noted that the government has released over 4,000 inmates who had been held for failure to pay minor fines, in some cases as low as ₦50,000. Beyond decongestion, rehabilitation is being prioritized, with correctional facilities now offering vocational training in carpentry, fish farming, and baking, alongside academic opportunities through the National Open University of Nigeria. Inmates’ feeding allowances have also been increased by 50 percent, while work is underway to relocate or modernize congested centers like Kuje and Ikoyi prisons.

“These reforms are not cosmetic; they are structural, sustainable, and designed to restore Nigerians’ confidence in public institutions,” the minister said.

Civil society groups have also acknowledged the progress. The Nigeria Citizen Action Group, a coalition of over 100 organizations, named Tunji-Ojo the “Best Performing Minister of 2024,” citing his achievements in immigration reform, prison decongestion, and digital innovation.

Observers say the reforms are positioning Nigeria’s interior sector to meet global standards, improve security, and deliver dignity and efficiency to citizens both at home and abroad.