Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s incumbent and youngest Minister of Interior, is a distinguished ICT professional and infrastructural development expert with over 17 years of experience in project and strategy management in both the private and public sector.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo was born on the first (1st) of May, 1982, and commenced his primary school education at the Ansarudeen Primary School, in Oyin Akoko in 1987. For his secondary school education, Dr. Tunji-Ojo attended the FUTA Staff Secondary School, Akure where, as a young scholar, 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.
A lover for education, Dr. Tunji-Ojo 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 practiced 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 innovations 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 Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), National Health Insurance Scheme, Abuja (NHIS), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, among others.
A true development expert, as Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji-Ojo in his first year transformed the ministry from a government organisation chiefly known as a public-holiday declaring ministry to a hub of innovation that became a centre of attraction of the government, and a key player driving the RenewedHope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Within 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).
In 2023, Nigeria ended a passport crisis that had become a national embarrassment where applicants had to wait for months unending by the launch of a strategic reform that led to the implementation of passport automation process such that human contact, that had allowed corruption to feaster within the system, was drastically reduced.
The reform also saw the development of a centralised dashboard where every passport application can be closely monitored and queried within stipulated timelines, putting officers on their toes to either deliver or get sanctioned. The innovation has now become a global talking point with the United States of America going ahead to understudy and implementing same for its country after an engagement with Dr. Tunji-Ojo and team in 2024.
As a firm believer in private sector-led growth, Dr Tunji-Ojo within his first twelve (12) months as minister 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, an development that led to an unprecedented decongestion of custodial centres across the country with over 4000 inmates regaining freedom. Ultimately, saving government three (3) billion naira annually on feeding inmates.
Under his leadership, the Federal Fire Service, aside rapidly improving its response time, actively began the remodelling of its fire academy into a premier institution for the whole of West Africa.
Described by the press as an inter-agency/inter-ministerial collaboration champion, Dr Tunji-Ojo’s reform in the NSCDC where he formulated a special force codenamed Mining Marshal to man mining sites in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, saw Nigeria to begin recording increased revenue from the mining sector with a total of 300 illegal mining operators arrested and over 100 prosecuted.
As chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), he rejigged the existing promotion scheme to ensure that promotion exercises are conducted and completed annually. And, for the first time, the board has approved the promotion of over 64,000 officers between 2023 and October 2024, putting an end to career stagnation in the country’s paramilitary services.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo (between 2019 and 2023) was Member of the House of Representatives, for Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency where he facilitated infrastructure development, including schools, healthcare centres, and rural road networks for the benefit of his constituents.
In addition, his tenure as Chairman, 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.
Distinguished in his approach and leadership style, he is a two-time recipient of the National Assembly Best Legislator of the Year award, having clinched it in the year 2020 and 2021. He received the Most Outstanding Constituents-Friendly Federal Lawmaker of the Year award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Council in 2021.
He is a receiver of 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.
A prolific speaker and researcher, Dr Tunji-Ojo has delivered talks in over 50 workshops, seminars, and conferences in 2024 alone, speaking on government reforms, technology, insecurity, human capacity development, policy direction, and citizenship integrity.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo is married to Mrs Abimbola, and the union is blessed with wonderful children.
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