Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo: At only 44, a plethora of landmark achievements

Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo turns 44 on Workers’ Day, 1st of May, 2026. This coincidence is not unnatural for one who likes to work as an obligation to common humanity and who is always willing – and ready – to provide his perspectives on national development.

Nigeria’s youngest minister of the interior thus deserves the full complement of his birthday. But what manner of a man is Tunji-Ojo? If you use the analogy of football in describing him, in terms of his style of play, he would come across as an eye-on-the-ball player, who would emerge as man of the match ever so regularly for his team, regardless of the proliferation of, at times, even more colourful, flamboyant and crowd-pleasing superstars on the team.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of the Interior has been a success story that the Tinubu administration is happy to brandish as one of the flagships of the Renewed Hope Agenda, arising from a clear vision anchored on a 7-point agenda underscoring a strategic plan.

As a minister, just like he did as a legislator, his focus has always been on the job at hand. Not for him the political theatrics that some political office holders are wont to indulge in, sometimes even at the risk of non-delivery of outputs required by the job descriptions attached to their positions or the services compelled by their portfolios. Prior to his present appointment (between 2019 and 2023), he was a member of the House of Representatives for the Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency. In addition, his tenure as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was noteworthy for his active role in championing anti-corruption reforms, as well as empowering youth through strategic appointments into leadership positions. He notably facilitated the provision of infrastructure, including schools, healthcare centres, and rural road networks for the benefit of his constituents.

How many politicians can be that self-effacing! Well, the point can be made that the ministry assigned to him isn’t one whose activities must necessarily be on the front pages of newspapers or leads on radio and television newscasts. If that were the case, Tunji-Ojo would have probably been the most publicised minister. Why that, for one with an engineering background and effective media relations?

In case you don’t know, his father trained as a journalist who at some point in time practised in Kaduna. He later became a reputable media consultant with an office in Kaduna. This might explain why, even as he is not known to be a publicity seeker for the sake of cheap popularity, the son of a journalist is known to have special regard for the media and journalism practices. It’s little wonder why his door is open at all times for the media to enquire about the work he does at the ministry and also for partnerships for national development.

Nigeria’s youngest minister of the interior attended the FUTA Staff Secondary School (of the Federal University of Technology, Akure), where, as a young student, he demonstrated unique leadership qualities and was elected as senior prefect in 1998. A year later, in 1999, he gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to study electrical and electronics engineering. In his third year in 2002, however, he proceeded to the University of North London (now London Metropolitan University) to study electronics and communication engineering, where he graduated with flying colours in 2005. He obtained a master’s degree in digital communication and networking from the same institution in 2006. Given his undying quest for learning, he aggressively pursued career and professional growth, going on to bag eighteen (18) top professional ICT certifications including being one of the first set of certified ethical hackers from the Royal Britannia IT Training Academy in the United Kingdom.

For nearly two (2) decades, Dr Tunji-Ojo practised as an IT development expert, holding various positions, including CEO of an indigenous consulting company, Matrix IT Solutions Limited, which he attained at the remarkable age of 24.

His expertise on how to deploy technological innovation to enhance operations covers critical sectors such as oil and gas, health, agriculture, research, finance, management, manufacturing, education and logistics. As an industry leader and a widely sought-after expert, he consulted for top government and international institutions, including the World Bank, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), National Health Insurance Scheme, Abuja (NHIS), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, among others.

For a long time, the ministry, formerly known as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was derisively known as the ministry for the announcement of public holidays.” Within just eighteen (18) months in office, the minister adapted technology to drive efficiency across all government parastatals under the ministry, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

He caused the passport automation system that drastically reduced the period for issuing a passport. Within his first twelve (12) months as minister, Nigeria attracted over 500 million dollars in investment to various agencies under his purview through the public-private partnership window. He also raised over 600 million naira from the private sector to pay off fines of inmates who have been held in custody for their inability to pay petty fines, a development that led to an unprecedented decongestion of custodial centres across the country, with over 4000 inmates regaining freedom. This action, ultimately, saved the government three (3) billion naira annually on the feeding of inmates.

Under his leadership, the Federal Fire Service, aside from rapidly improving its response time, actively began the remodelling of its fire academy into a premier institution for the whole of West Africa. At the NSCDC, he established the Mining Marshal Corps to man mining sites in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. A total of over 300 illegal mining operators were arrested and over 100 prosecuted. This led to increased revenues from the mining sector. Under his chairmanship, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) promoted 64,000 officers between 2023 and October 2024.

Within two years, Tunji-Ojo strategically deployed technology to drive efficiency across all government parastatals under the ministry.

The results have been perceptible across the agencies under the Interior Ministry, where, in place of overcrowding and congestion in correctional facilities, poor feeding and nutrition for inmates, inadequate medical facilities and healthcare services, and dilapidated infrastructure and poor living conditions, the ministry has decongested facilities. It has raised over N600 million to pay off petty fines for over 4,000 inmates, reducing congestion in facilities by 5%; renovated over 10 correctional centres to improve living conditions and provide a safer environment; developed a biometric database to enhance inmate management and improve security; increased feeding allocation by 100%, ensuring better nutrition and care for inmates; relocated correctional centres affected by urbanisation; and recruited medical personnel — 100 nurses and 50 doctors, complemented by NYSC deployments — to improve inmates’ medical wellbeing.

In the Nigeria Immigration Service, the backlog of passport applications has vanished, leading to approvals within 48 hours.

Similar strides have been made in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

Tunji-Ojo is married to Mrs Abimbola Tunji-Ojo, and the union is blessed with wonderful children. There has not been a shortage of recognition and appreciation of his erudition and performance.

He’s a two-time recipient of the National Assembly Best Legislator of the Year award, having clinched it in 2020 and 2021.

He received the Most Outstanding Constituents-Friendly Federal Lawmaker of the Year award from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Council in 2021.

He received the Africa Value Awards (AVA) as the Legislator of the Year for effective representation/community development in 2021.

Also in 2021, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, awarded him an honorary Doctor of Public Administration for his outstanding and meticulous career history and achievements as an entrepreneur and nation builder.

In 2025, he received the “Excellence in Public Service” award from BusinessDay newspapers.

As recently as 24 April 2026, he was honoured as “Public Officer of the Year” by Vanguard Newspapers.

As an eloquent speaker and researcher, he has made presentations in over 50 workshops, seminars, and conferences on such topics as government reforms, technology, insecurity, human capacity development, policy direction, and citizenship integrity.

When his ministerial appointment comes to an end in 2027, the last would not have been heard about the quiet, stellar performer from Ondo State – either in politics or private business. For it’s not only age that is on his side, but also quality education, discipline, professionalism, pedigree and solid achievements.

For here cometh a man, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who has seen 99; what then is 100 in readiness, doggedness and preparedness for service?

Hassan is a general for Abuja and the North for BusinessDay Newspapers.