The Federal Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation have agreed to deepen collaboration to enhance public awareness of ongoing government reforms in passport services, border security, identity management and national safety.
The renewed partnership was highlighted during a high-level visit by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to the Ministry of Interior in Abuja, where he was received by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Welcoming the delegation, Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of coordinated communication in ensuring that Nigerians are properly informed about key government initiatives and achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Ministry of Interior supervises critical agencies including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service and the National Identity Management Commission.
According to the minister, the past two and a half years have witnessed major reforms across these agencies, leading to improvements in service delivery, security operations and citizen engagement.
Among the achievements highlighted, Tunji-Ojo said the ministry had cleared more than 204,000 backlog passport applications, introduced contactless passport renewal services for Nigerians in the diaspora and established Nigeria’s first centralised passport personalisation centre in Abuja.
He also pointed to advancements in border management through the deployment of Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, as well as the installation of electronic immigration gates at major international airports.
In the area of identity management, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that more than 130 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database.
He added that the introduction of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card now enables citizens to travel within the West African sub-region without the need for passports.
The minister further highlighted reforms in the correctional system, including skills development programmes for inmates, alongside the construction of a National Fire Academy and the deployment of Mining Marshals to protect critical mining sites.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that these reforms require effective public communication and called on the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to collaborate in developing a coordinated strategy for accurate and timely dissemination of information to Nigerians and the international community.
Responding, Idris commended the Ministry of Interior for what he described as significant reforms across its agencies.
He noted that consistent and strategic communication of government policies and achievements, particularly in the areas of security and development, would enhance Nigeria’s global image and help attract foreign investment.
The Information Minister also announced that Nigeria would host the World Public Relations Forum later this year in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), an event expected to attract communication professionals from across the world.
Both ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation on strategic communication to ensure that government programmes and reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are widely publicised and accessible to the public.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining reforms aimed at delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians.
The partnership between the two ministries is expected to enhance transparency, strengthen institutional reforms and improve citizen engagement, while projecting Nigeria’s progress in governance, security and development to both local and international audiences.
