There are many ways to define visionary leadership. As American leadership expert Warren Bennis famously said, it is the capacity to turn vision into reality. Visionary leadership involves innovation and creation, seeing what others cannot, seeing farther, and seeing before others do, as leadership thinker Leroy Eimes put it. In the words of Alan Kay, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Leadership, according to John C. Maxwell, is not about titles or positions, but about one life influencing another. Great leaders, Eleanor Roosevelt noted, inspire confidence in people. If vision is the art of seeing the invisible (Jonathan Swift), and leadership is providing a platform for ideas that work (Seth Godin), then visionary leadership means creating revolutionary platforms that shape the course of human existence.
As President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration marks two years in office, it is fitting to assess progress in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture. While the nation still faces internal challenges, like every country, a close examination reveals clear reasons for optimism. When President Tinubu appointed Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as Minister of the Interior two years ago, he placed security at the heart of national development. The administration’s focus has been on enhancing the capabilities of security forces, promoting peace and stability, and ensuring every Nigerian feels safe and protected, regardless of location.
Recognising the limitations of traditional, brick-and-mortar approaches, the Ministry embraced digitisation to leverage technology in detecting and preventing illegal activities such as smuggling and human trafficking. Digital systems have streamlined border crossings, reduced wait times, improved travel experiences, minimised errors in documentation, and enhanced identity verification. These innovations have also provided critical data analytics for policy decisions, reduced corruption by limiting human interface, and increased transparency. Over the past two years, digital platforms have enabled immigration authorities to better monitor cross-border movements, facilitate legitimate trade, improve regulatory compliance, and build a more efficient, secure, and effective border management system.
Among the landmark achievements in this period was the clearance of a backlog of 204,332 passports within a record-breaking three weeks, restoring public confidence in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The ministry revolutionised passport processing, reducing application timelines to two weeks and introducing home and office delivery services. The application process was streamlined, and efforts were intensified to champion the rights of Nigerian applicants abroad, ensuring fair treatment and consular support.
The administration has also prioritised the welfare of paramilitary personnel. Equitable compensation, plans for a functional pension board, and the alignment of paramilitary salaries with those of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have boosted morale and productivity. These reforms have been widely praised as steps toward fairness, equity, and professional recognition within the security sector.
Equally significant has been the focus on criminal justice reform. The ministry led efforts to decongest correctional facilities, clearing fines and compensations worth ₦585 million for 4,068 inmates. Correctional centres are being transformed into hubs of rehabilitation, offering hope and redemption to inmates. This human-centred approach underscores a shift from punishment to reformation and reintegration.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, security infrastructure has been modernised across the board. The Ministry established a state-of-the-art Data Centre and Command and Control Centre to support new visa and passport policies and border management. E-Gates have been deployed at major airports to enhance security and efficiency. Correctional centres have been rehabilitated, with the Interior Minister earning national recognition, including the Public Service Person of the Year 2023 award by Leadership newspaper, for bold and transformative reforms.
The Ministry has also launched several innovative initiatives to strengthen national security. Safe Haven fosters partnerships between law enforcement and community leaders to enhance safety. Smart Border leverages advanced technologies to modernise border management, improve security, and facilitate trade and travel. The Disaster Response Unit coordinates emergency preparedness and response, while the E-Visa system simplifies visa applications to promote tourism and international collaboration. The Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) enhances migration data management to inform policy decisions.
With a clinical focus on institutional reform, the Tinubu administration established the Immigration Service Reform Committee to modernise the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), reduce corruption, and improve service delivery. The Digital Case Management System has been rolled out to streamline case handling in the justice system, increasing transparency and reducing delays. In correctional services, the emphasis is on rehabilitation and reintegration. A prime example is the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre, where facilities have been upgraded to create a more humane and effective environment for inmates.
The Centralised Interior Management and Administration System (CIMAS) serves as a unified platform for oversight and decision-making across all Ministry of Interior agencies. It enables secure inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and data integrity, ensuring confidentiality and operational efficiency. Nigerian travellers are now familiar with user-friendly initiatives such as the Electronic Visa (e-Visa), Landing and Exit Cards (LEC), Advance Passenger Information (API), Migrant Information Management System (MIMS), Citizen and Business (C&B) portal, Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), Temporary Work Permit (TWP), Guard Management System (GMS), and the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens system.
Notable operational achievements include deploying over 30 new patrol vehicles, launching contactless biometric systems, designing a Tier 4, 8.3 petabyte data centre, and fully automating the visa application process. These advancements have significantly enhanced security, efficiency, and service delivery.
Before the Renewed Hope government, paramilitary agencies were plagued by a demoralised workforce, career stagnation, delayed promotions, and gender imbalance in recruitment. These challenges have been decisively addressed. The administration has ensured at least 35 percent female representation in all recruitment exercises, approved the recruitment of 30,000 personnel, promoted over 50,000 officers in two years, approved special allowances, implemented the modernised immigration project, and approved the establishment of a paramilitary academy.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has also seen major upgrades: over 800 mobile enrolment devices deployed, integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), revalidation of Front-End Enrolment Partner (FEP) licences, collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), launch of a Self-Service Mobile App and Web Modification App, and implementation of technological upgrades with robust monitoring systems.
At the Federal Fire Service, response times and emergency services have improved dramatically. The value of property saved from fire incidents rose from ₦1.2 trillion to ₦1.9 trillion in 2024. Meanwhile, the NSCDC has made revolutionary strides: launching the Mining Marshal to secure mining sites, establishing a Special Female Squad to protect schools, arresting illegal miners en masse, setting up a Railway Command to safeguard rail infrastructure, and securing all telecommunications installations nationwide.
The recent recruitment of 30,000 personnel further strengthens the paramilitary agencies. Beyond operational capacity, the administration has instilled a culture of accountability, transparency, integrity, and openness in governance. It also supports educational programmes, healthcare initiatives, and empowerment projects in communities across the country.
The overall impact is clear: institutions are being transformed, and Nigerian society is being uplifted through effective leadership, innovation, and a proactive approach to governance. Lives and property are better protected. This is the ennobling state of affairs in the Ministry of Interior, where, under President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and the dedicated execution of Minister Tunji-Ojo, milestones continue to be recorded in the service of the nation.
Femi Salako, Media Consultant to the Minister
