Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #PBATVersary

To God be the glory, BTO is a year older.

While in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire yesterday, I represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) at the official opening of Zenith Bank in the country. This milestone marks a significant step in Nigeria’s commitment to deeper economic collaboration across West Africa. Zenith Bank’s entry into the Francophone country will facilitate cross-border trade, investment, and enterprise growth between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. As a government, we believe strong private sector initiatives like this are essential for building a more integrated and prosperous Africa. By bridging Anglophone and Francophone markets, Zenith Bank is expanding its Pan-African footprint while contributing to regional economic integration and mutual prosperity. I congratulate the leadership of Zenith Bank Plc, under the guidance of Founder Jim Ovia, CFR, and Group Managing Director Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON.

Yesterday, I joined my colleague Ministers in Charge of Immigration and Border Management within ECOWAS subregion at the Migration Dialogue For West Africa (MIDWA) in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire. The objective of the meeting is to review and validate the key recommendations emerging from regional technical consultations from 2024 to early 2026. It further seeks to secure ministerial endorsement and political commitment for the prioritised regional and national workplans developed by Member State experts in the areas of migration data governance, border management, labour migration, and climate mobility. In my remarks, I emphasised Nigeria’s stance on ensuring the establishment of ECOWAS Information System which is a unified database for all nationals within the region. This integrated system will not only become a smart way to manage migration and secure our geographical spaces, it will also help facilitate legitimate trade and businesses without compromising the security of individual member state. This engagement, if sustained, will transform the subregion and ECOWAS will become a supranational organisation in the nearest future.

Arrival of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, representing @officialABAT President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) at the official opening of Zenith Bank @ZenithBank, Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire. 29/4/2026

Last week, I received a delegation of the Ladies' Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), led by the President, Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed. The visit came ahead of Nigeria's historic hosting of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), a prestigious Pan-African Ladies Golf Championship. In recognition of our shared commitment to sports development and women's empowerment, the Ladies' Golf Association of Nigeria presented me with this beautiful Appreciation Plaque. I am truly honoured by this gesture, not as a personal achievement, but as a reflection of the collective work we are doing in the Ministry of Interior. As a government, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote sports development, increase women's participation in sports, and strengthen sports diplomacy across Africa.

Winning the Vanguard Newspaper Personality of the Year Award is an encouragement to do more. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has provided a fertile ground for innovation to thrive and we remain committed to it.

I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the Vanguard Newspaper Personality of the Year Award for the second time in three years. Tonight at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, presented this distinguished award on behalf of Vanguard Newspapers. Appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the unique opportunity of service and for providing the enabling environment that has ensured our performance continues to thrive. This award is not just a recognition of our efforts at the Ministry of Interior; it is an award for Mr. President himself, for the leadership he has provided, the encouragement he has given, and the fertile ground he has made available for us to plant our seeds of innovation. To the leadership and management of Vanguard Newspapers, I extend my profound gratitude. This award is not a destination for us; it is a work in progress and a strong invitation to turn on and do even more. Therefore, from the Ministry of Interior, we want to assure you that we will continue to turn on, ensuring that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President finds a permanent and impactful place in the Ministry of Interior.

Today, I welcomed my brother, Mr. Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Co-Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, on a courtesy visit to my office. It was a productive meeting that underscored the power of innovation in strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.

My brother and friend, Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association paid me a courtesy visit this afternoon in my office. He was delighted to visualise the tracking systems we have put in place to monitor the reforms we have initiated across all the agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

During the week, I met with Mallam Haruna Nma Yahaya, mni, Ph.D., FCA, the 61st President and Chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) along with members of his executive team in my office. What struck me most was how aligned we were on the need to build a stronger, more accountable Nigeria. We spoke extensively about how professional excellence, strong ethical standards, and genuine collaboration can actually drive meaningful change, especially in public financial management, rehabilitation efforts, among other critical issues. In my remarks, I shared my deep passion for transforming our correctional centres from mere places of confinement into genuine centres of reformation, where inmates can acquire real skills, rebuild their lives, and successfully reintegrate into society. I firmly believe that a nation’s greatest asset is its people, and as a government, it is our responsibility to ensure freedom of movement comes with real accountability, supported by proper rehabilitation, strong border control, and sound financial management. And I am genuinely impressed by ICAN’s strong focus on public financial management, internal controls, revenue generation, anti-corruption measures, and accountability. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), we remain fully committed to deepening our partnership with ICAN, especially in areas like financial literacy programmes for inmates and ex-inmates, grants management, and capacity building.

Also today, I received Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), accompanied by Federal Commissioners, on a courtesy visit to my office. Our discussions centred on strengthening inter-agency collaboration across migration management, border security, and national economic development, with emphasis on efficiency in revenue allocation and outcomes that serve Nigeria's broader interests. I also highlighted the ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Interior aimed at projecting Nigeria's image as a welcoming and secure destination for legitimate economic activities, noting that trust and investor confidence are largely shaped by the quality of experiences at our borders. The Ministry of Interior remains fully committed to continued collaboration with RMAFC in developing policies that advance the best interests of Nigeria and its people.

Earlier today, I hosted Mr. Jagir Baxi, Chairman and Managing Director as well as Lead Country Manager of ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria, along with members of the board, on a courtesy visit to my office. As a well-respected and reliable partner, ExxonMobil’s continued investments in the country presents a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s improving investment climate and the reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and the opportunities we continue to create. To be commended is the commitment of ExxonMobil to local content development, especially in skills transfer, increasing local participation, and delivering real value to Nigeria’s energy sector.