SPEECH BY DR. OLUBUNMI TUNJI OJO, HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INTERIOR, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE CONFERMENT OF THE OAU AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, ON FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025
Distinguished Protocol
Distinguished Vice Chancellor,
Esteemed faculty members,
Respected members of the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University,
Distinguished award committee,
Honoured guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
I stand before you this evening with a heart filled with gratitude and a deep sense of reflection. The Award of Excellence in Public Service conferred by this illustrious institution is a profound honour. Obafemi Awolowo University does not honour lightly. It honours only when it is convinced of service, of sacrifice and of commitment to national progress. Standing on this historic ground, I am reminded that an award from this university is not a celebration of an individual but a summons to greater responsibility.
This university occupies an extraordinary place in our national consciousness. It is a sanctuary of intellectual courage, a furnace of innovation and a moral lighthouse for our country. Across generations, OAU has produced leaders whose ideas have shaped the course of governance, culture, science, jurisprudence, medicine and social thought in Nigeria and across the continent. To be recognised here is to be reminded that one must keep striving to match the greatness of those who have passed through these halls.
Inspiration from a Visionary
I am reminded today of a timeless statement by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the visionary whose name this university proudly bears. He declared that after rain comes sunshine and after darkness comes the glorious dawn. His words echo the spirit that this award has awakened in me. Every effort made in public service is a step toward the glorious dawn that Nigeria strives for.
Permit me to share a short anecdote that has guided my work in public service. Some months ago, during one of our visits to an immigration office, a young woman approached me with a trembling voice. She had waited for hours in the heat to renew her passport. When she finally received her passport, she looked at me with visible relief and said, Sir, today I feel seen by my country. That moment touched me deeply. Her simple statement captured the essence of governance: to ensure that no citizen feels invisible or forgotten. It reminded me that every reform we pursue must bring tangible comfort to the lives of ordinary people.
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu entrusted me with the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, he shared a vision rooted in the central principles of the Renewed Hope Agenda. These principles are service that uplifts, security that protects, transparency that builds trust and innovation that modernises institutions. He impressed upon me that the ministry must become a visible example of what Renewed Hope truly means. It must be a ministry that embodies efficiency, compassion and national confidence.
It is in this spirit that we pursued a transformation of the immigration process. We understood that the ability of a citizen to obtain a passport without stress is not a small matter. It is an affirmation of dignity. It is an affirmation of belonging. The progress we have made in clearing backlogs, automating processes, strengthening border management and elevating professionalism within the Nigeria Immigration Service is rooted in a simple conviction. The state must not frustrate the citizen. The state must empower the citizen. As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others. Through service, we rediscover the meaning of leadership.
Justice, Humanity and Restoration
Our work in the Nigeria Correctional Service is another area where transformation has been essential. I remember a visit to a correctional facility where a young inmate approached me quietly. He said, Sir, thank you for reminding us that we still have a future. His words stayed with me. They reaffirmed that a society is not truly just unless it believes in the possibility of human redemption. Our reforms in this sector, including decongestion, modern management, rehabilitation and skills acquisition programmes, are all guided by the belief that justice must be restorative and humane. When we rebuild lives, we build a safer nation.
The modernization of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is also central to creating a secure environment for development. Security is not only measured by arms or equipment. It is measured by strategy, discipline, reliability and the trust of the people. Sun Tzu once stated that the greatest victory is the one that requires no battle. A well prepared security institution prevents threats before they escalate. Our reforms are driven by this philosophy.
The Purpose of Public Service
Every reform undertaken by the Ministry of Interior is grounded in a simple truth. Public service must work and must work well. It must reflect the dignity of the Nigerian people. It must embody the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which demands that we build a Nigeria where public institutions function with precision, fairness and compassion.
Yet, government alone cannot build a nation. There is another indispensable pillar in the architecture of progress, and that pillar is knowledge. Universities are sacred spaces where the mind is refined, where ideas take flight and where generations discover the awesome responsibility of leadership. Obafemi Awolowo University stands as one of the brightest beacons of enlightenment in Africa. It is a place where young people come to challenge themselves and to embrace the promise of tomorrow.
A Message to Students
To the students of this great university, I speak to you from my heart. You are the keepers of the future. Your ideas, your courage, your conviction and your curiosity will determine the direction of our nation. Do not allow the hardships of today to blur your vision of the Nigeria you want to build. Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Your education is not a privilege. It is a national investment. Use it with wisdom. Use it for unity. Use it for transformation.
Dedication and Appreciation
I dedicate this award to the Nigerian people. I dedicate it to every young person whose hope in this country remains strong. I dedicate it to our civil servants who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I dedicate it to my family whose unwavering support strengthens me. And I dedicate it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose commitment to reform continues to breathe life into the Renewed Hope Agenda.
To the leadership of Obafemi Awolowo University, I express my deepest appreciation. Your pursuit of academic excellence, your cultivation of intellectual integrity and your steadfast commitment to national development inspire all of us. This award will remain a powerful reminder that service is a sacred covenant. It is not a destination. It is a lifelong journey.
Closing Affirmation
In closing, let me affirm what I believe with all my heart. Nigeria is rising. Not because our challenges have disappeared, but because our resolve is stronger than ever. Not because the path is smooth, but because our collective will refuses to bend. This award is not an endpoint. It is a milestone. It encourages us to continue on the path of national renewal with renewed faith, renewed courage and renewed hope.
May God bless Obafemi Awolowo University.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2025
——————-
Bookmark Techparley.com for the most insightful technology news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @Techparleynews, on Facebook at Techparley Africa, on LinkedIn at Techparley Africa, or on Instagram at Techparleynews.
