May I kindly request the Honourable Minister and Awardee to please rise and remain standing as his Citation is being read.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, fondly called BTO was born on May 1 in the early 1980s in Oyin Akoko, Ondo State, South West, Nigeria. His early years were characterized not by the usual childlike and youthful exploits but a different level of exploits reflecting unusual level of curiosity, inquisitiveness and determination which was uncommon for a child of his age.
As Olubunmi grew, it became obvious to all and sundry that Olubunmi is not the regular young chap but one with a level of intelligence and ingenuity which was inclined towards problem solving and creativity.
Olubunmi lived his early life in Ondo and Kaduna and had his secondary education at FUTA Staff School, Akure. Based on his inherent leadership skills, he was elected the senior prefect among his set. This indeed was a first test of his political sagacity.
BTO was admitted into this great institution in 1999 as a student in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He walked the streets of OAU- from road 1 to SUB, from SUB to white house and from Awo to Faj. Midway into his undergraduate studies however, opportunities opened up for him to continue his education at the United Kingdom, BTO thus left Ife and continued his education at the London Metropolitan University where he graduated in 2005. He earned his master’s degree in Digital Communications and Networking from the same institution.
As one with a keen academic mind and deep thirst for knowledge, BTO has continued to acquire numerous impressive certifications in the field of technology. BTO is among the first Certified Ethical Hackers from the esteemed Royal Britannia Training Academy in the United Kingdom, a remarkable feat achieved before his 24th birthday. At the moment, BTO has a total of about 18 professional qualifications to his credit. This is in keeping with one of his core values which is to keep improving on one’s self by always learning. To him, learning must never end!
VC Sir, BTO’s core values have continued to drive his sense of purpose and reflects in his outstanding achievements. As a man of solutions and one who believes in technological innovations to ease the day to day activities of persons, he began his tech consulting and business management career at a very young age and by age 24, he became the Chief Executive Officer of Matrix IT Solutions Limited, a renowned indigenous consulting company in Nigeria.
In his over seventeen years of remarkable experience in both the public and private sectors, he has specialised in project and strategic management across critical sectors such as Oil and Gas, Information Technology, Agriculture, Research, Finance, Management Consultancy, and Manufacturing industries.
He served as executive consultant for top government agencies and international institutions including the World Bank, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education among others. As a truly patriotic Nigerian who is keen on promotion of local business and indigenous organizations, he worked with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to pioneer the first Nigerian Content Workshop (NCW) in 2016.
BTO has established himself as a leading authority not only in the private sector but also in the public sector. Having worked closely with government agencies and as a true Nigerian who does not believe in arm-chair criticism and non-challance towards governance, BTO ventured into active politics.
In 2019, he was elected into the House of Representatives of Nigeria to represent Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State. As a distinguished member of the House of Representatives, he served as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). His tenure remains memorable for his active role in major reforms of the NDDC, championing anti-corruption reforms, as well as, empowering youth through strategic appointments into leadership positions. BTO also served as a member of several House Committees including the Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Local Content, Gas Resources, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Housing, FCT Area Council and Ancillary Matters, Solid Minerals and Pilgrims Affairs.
As a true grass root politician, his tenure facilitated infrastructure development, including building of schools, healthcare centres, and rural road networks, across Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency. The true impact of his representation of the people reflected clearly in his re-election in 2023 to continue the good work of positively affecting the lives of the members of his constituency.
VC Sir, BTO’s outstanding performance did not go unnoticed at the national level! President Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided that his expertise would be needed within the executive, having done exceptionally well as a true representative of his people at the Legislative House. BTO was thus appointed as the Honourable Minister of Interior in August 2023.
BTO hit the ground running and commenced landmark activities which were hinged toward ensuring that the responsibility of his office were discharged effectively and in a manner that reflected his core value of doing good to change lives!
Through his exceptional leadership and vision, Tunji-Ojo has transformed the country’s paramilitary agencies including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and Federal Fire Service (FFS).
Worthy of note is the review or what I will call a complete overhaul of the standard operating procedures (SOP) of agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
Nigerians were particularly amazed at the overhaul of the immigration services which had become a clog in the wheel of the progress of many Nigerians. Within three weeks of BTO’s transformational leadership, the Immigration offices cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs, a feat which was previously considered unimaginable. BTO also introduced an automated passport application system, e-Visa system and significantly improved the ease of travel and business transactions.
VC Sir, Nigeria’s correctional facilities are not exempted. Nigerian correctional facilities have taken a new shape which reflects not just a place for punishing criminals but a one which is truly able to effectively result in rehabilitation. The Kuje prison and about 17 other facilities across the nation have experienced not only major face lifts but also, a shift in operational activities of the correctional centres.
His nationwide decongestion program raised over N600 million from corporate organizations to pay fines for over 4,000 inmates, a move that saved the government an estimated N1 billion annually in feeding costs. Of note also is the collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Justice to facilitate speedy trials for inmates awaiting-trial.
To boost the morale of workers and ensure effective service delivery, BTO as Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), took a strong stance against career stagnation. As of September 2024, he has promoted over 53, 000 personnel in government agencies under his Ministry.
As a man who understands business and management, BTO has also brought his managerial skills to fore in the coordination of the financial affairs the Ministry. Revenue Generation capacity of the ministry has been significantly enhanced with the generation of N6 billion in 2024 from services well and satisfactorily rendered to Nigerians.
The installation of e-Gates at international airports is another A –game by BTO to ensure enhanced border security.
VC Sir, the Fire services has also not been left out. Among many other notable reforms, the National Fire Academy in Sheda is undergoing development to become a central training facility for both public and private sector fire personnel.
His technological background and solution-driven mind has been a major driver of his achievements. The commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) in December, 2024 is a reflection of his technologically sound and ingenious mind set. The Innovation Complex houses the NIS Command and Control Center, ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Center, the Interior Data Center, the Visa Application Center, and a solar farm.
Tunji-Ojo’s commitment to institutional growth, human capital development, and economic progress has significantly impacted the country’s growth, and his influential role in shaping policy and reforms has continued to improve the quality of services delivered to Nigerians.
It is therefore not surprising that these truck-load of outstanding achievements have earned him numerous awards and recognitions within and outside Nigeria. These include recognition as the:
- Best Performing Minister of 2024 by the Nigeria Citizen Action Group (NCAG). a coalition of over 112 civil society organizations, for his remarkable achievements in the Ministry of Interior.
- Public Service Person of the Year 2023 by Leadership newspaper for his bold reforms in tackling the passport backlog at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
- 2023 Personality of the Year award from the esteemed Vanguard Newspaper.
- Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.
- IT Productivity Award at Digital Nigeria 2023 Awards organized by the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA)
- 30 most Influential young Nigerians award by National Youth Council of Nigeria
- Award as Pacesetter in Political Representation by Akoko North West Local Government Council, Okeagbe Akoko, Ondo State
- Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award of Excellence
- National Assembly Best Legislator of the year
- The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria Award of Excellence
- Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award as “Worthy Ambassador of African Youth” by All African Students Union (AASU)
- Excellence Award in Students Empowerment by The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
- Personality of the Year Award for leveraging ICT to reform the operations of agencies under the Interior Ministry.
In all of this, BTO is a man who truly values family. BTO is happily married and the marriage is blessed with children.
VC sir, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, when Nigerians hear the name BTO, only solutions to impossibilities come to mind! When youths hear the name BTO, inspiration, courage, true representation and excellence comes to mind. May I present to you today, a man who is not a lazy Nigerian youth but one who has truly represented the Nigerian youth and the people of Akoko North East and West in a first class manner with grace, courage, honesty, excellence, integrity, dignity and ingenuity. A man who is never afraid to tackle problems no matter how huge and issues no matter how daunting.
The Solutions-driven and high performing Minister of Interior- Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, BTO!
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