The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, enhanced border security through technology, and strengthened financial governance across public institutions.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Haruna Yahaya, and members of the institute’s governing council during a courtesy visit.
Tunji-Ojo said reforming the nation’s correctional system remains a key priority, noting that the focus has shifted from mere incarceration to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society. He emphasized that the transition from the Prisons Act to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act reflects a deliberate move toward a more humane and reform-oriented system.
On border management and internal security, the minister revealed that the Correctional Information Management System (CIMS) now holds over 50 million records generated from operations at seaports and airports, with plans underway to integrate land border data. He said the system is designed to improve the detection of irregularities and prevent unauthorized entry through proactive security measures.
“We are building systems that can stop problems before they happen, not just respond after the damage is done,” he stated.
Addressing financial governance, Tunji-Ojo underscored the importance of robust internal control mechanisms in government institutions, stressing that preventive frameworks are more effective than post-incident audits in curbing financial irregularities.
He called for deeper collaboration with professional bodies such as ICAN, particularly in areas of revenue assurance, transparency, and institutional accountability, while also advocating stronger public-private partnerships to improve efficiency and boost investor confidence.
The minister further highlighted the need to expand fire and rescue services nationwide, noting that innovative funding models, including private sector participation, would be critical to achieving this objective.
Tunji-Ojo also congratulated ICAN on its leadership and the forthcoming West Africa Accountants Conference scheduled for December 2026, assuring the institute of government support. He commended the growing representation of women in professional leadership, describing it as a positive development.
Earlier, ICAN President Haruna Yahaya lauded the Ministry’s reform efforts and proposed the establishment of a Joint ICAN–Ministry Financial Integrity and Revenue Assurance Task Force. He said the initiative would focus on revenue assessment within the Nigeria Immigration Service, payroll analysis across uniformed services, and procurement risk reviews aimed at reducing leakages and strengthening accountability in government operations.
