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Ministry of Interior generated over N6.2 bn revenue last year, says Minister

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Ministry of Interior generated over N6.2 bn revenue last year, says Minister


…1,836,533 Passports Issued, 828 foreigners repatriated, 137 victims of trafficking intercepted

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has revealed that his ministry was able to contribute over N6 billion into the nation’s revenue during the 2024 fiscal year.

The minister made this disclosure during a media chat on the achievements of his minister during last year.

Tunji-Ojo who specifically gave N6,034,457,000 as the total revenue made with expatriate quota alone accruing about N3,220,035,000, marriages contributed N2,409,282,000 billion; citizenship and places of worship had N392,790,000 billion and N12,350,000 million respectively.

He noted that the increase was over 150 per cent from the previous year.

He acknowledged that the blockage and stoppage of revenue leakages through automation of processes was responsible for the lift, adding that now foreign applicants who applied for Nigerian citizenship are genuinely scrutinised before being granted their application.

He said: “The ministry inaugurated Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Champions/Reform Team who have successfully worked with Ease of Doing Business Secretariat (EBES) to harmonise and update records on the National Action Plan (NAP 7.0) reform initiatives which include: enforce service level agreement (SLA) for business permit application; enforce timeline for business permit application; enforce SLA timeline for expatriate quota (EQ) applications; enforce timeline for EQ applications.”

He added that the ministry has
commenced full operations in the newly-established Federal Marriage Registries in the following states: Jalingo, Taraba State; Akure, Ondo State; Ibadan, Oyo State; Makurdi, Benue State; Asaba, Delta State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The minister said the ministry is currently implementing the Performance Management System (PMS) which is one of the six pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP2021-2025)—–a strategy that drives the first medium term plan, 2021-2025 of the Nigeria Agenda 2050 holistic reforms of the civil service.

“The PMS is a framework used to evaluate, manage and improve the employee performance in alignment with the National Service and mandate while innovating means and measures to achieving ministry’s mandate also” he explained.

The agencies under the Ministry of interior include, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Fire Service (NFS), Nigeria Immigration Service and National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) were involved in restructuring with
about 8,283 men and officers recruited into the NIS and the NSCDC in 2023, while 2,500 officers were recruited into the FFS in 2024.

The Minister said: “A key part of the ministry that has to do with the public is the department we call C and B. That is, Citizenship and Business. One of the first things we realised about the department is that the revenue generated wasn’t up to what is expected. So, the first thing we have to do is to create a process of optimising and automising it.”

The minister revealed that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has issued 1,836,533 passports and repatriated 828 foreigners between January and December 2024.

Tunji-Ojo nited that other achievements recorded in the same period included the clearance of a backlog of over 200,000 passport application within three weeks in year 2024

“Then, of course, combating irregular migration is a major issue. In the last one year, 137 victims of trafficking were intercepted in 2024 and 42 objects of struggling, of migrants were also intercepted.

“828 foreigners were repatriated in 2024 by the Nigerian Immigration Service.

“Of course, when we came on board, we met a backlog of over 200,000 passports, you know, and in record time, in less than three weeks, we were able to clear that.

“In 2024, the Nigeria Immigration Service also issued 1,836,533,”he said.

In the realm of border security, the minister announced the completion of the first phase of the e-border solution, covering 40 per cent of the nation’s borders.

Tunji-Ojo said that secured borders ensure a safe nation adding that newly acquired vehicles and e-gates have been deployed to improve border management.

He also spoke about innovations in visa processing, including the establishment of a Visa Approval Center in Abuja and the integration of Interpol’s database for profiling applicants.

“This ensures only eligible individuals gain entry into Nigeria while strengthening national security,” he said.

The minister also spoke about reforms in granting Nigerian citizenship, which now involved a rigorous verification process in collaboration with security agencies.

“Becoming a Nigerian citizen today is a more transparent and technology-driven process. This ensures integrity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy,” he maintained..

Looking ahead, Tunji-Ojo pledged continued reforms, including improving operational efficiency and leveraging technology to meet national security and administrative goals.

“We are not yet where we want to be, but progress has been made, and we remain committed to delivering better services to Nigerians.

Tunji-Ojo said that the President, Bola Tinubu’s vision of a secure, innovative, and efficient system was being realised through these reforms. Nigerians deserve a system that works for them.

The interior minister at the parley provided a detailed account of accomplishments across the ministry and all its six agencies.

Ministry of Interior generated over N6.2 bn revenue last year, says Minister

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Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara

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Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Zamfara State have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Mannir Adam, for allegedly transporting 800 rounds of AK-47 ammunition concealed in the fuel tank of a motorcycle.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a resident of Yankuzo village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, was intercepted at about 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway.

He was arrested at a security checkpoint in Yankara while riding a red Boxer motorcycle.

According to the sources, a search conducted by the operatives led to the discovery of 800 rounds of live ammunition for an AK-47 rifle, which had been carefully hidden inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly picked up the ammunition from the Bawa area in Saminaka Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He was reportedly transporting the ammunition to Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where it was suspected to be destined for armed bandits operating in the area.

Security sources described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups terrorising communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

The suspect is currently in custody while further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network involved in the illegal arms supply chain.

Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara

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Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau

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Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Plateau has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms during an intelligence-led operation in Jos North Local Government Area.

Police sources said the suspects were arrested on March 9 at about 9:15 p.m. by a team of operatives acting on credible intelligence.

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Yakmoe of Angwan Rukuba and Alfred Song of Furaka Junction, both residents of Jos North.

According to police, a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly robbed one Nandi Budadi Taki of his iPhone 16 Pro Max at gunpoint.

Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional Beretta pistol from Yakmoe at his residence in Angwan Rukuba.

Police said the suspects had confessed to the crime, adding that discreet investigation was ongoing.

The command also said efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the robbery syndicate and recover additional weapons.

Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau

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Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission

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Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission

By Ayo Ajayi

In times of institutional uncertainty, leadership is often tested not by comfort but by crisis. At the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Abuja, such a moment emerged amid internal tensions and the spread of misinformation among sections of the workforce. At the centre of this storm stood the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Lucky Ikharo, whose calm disposition and administrative experience have helped steady the institution through turbulent waters.

For many within the Commission, the period has been marked by a mix of rumours, misrepresentation, and what some observers describe as half-baked narratives circulating among staff who may not be fully informed about the workings of the system. In such an atmosphere, maintaining discipline, order, and institutional focus requires more than routine administration—it demands patience, clarity of purpose, and steady leadership.

Dr. Ikharo has sought to provide exactly that. Known among colleagues for his methodical approach to public service administration, he has remained focused on ensuring that the Commission continues to function effectively despite the distractions created by internal disagreements and misinformation.
‎His journey within the National Assembly bureaucracy reflects years of dedication to institutional development.

‎Dr. Ikharo joined the National Assembly Service Commission in 2002 as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer. Through diligence and professional commitment, he steadily rose through the ranks of the public service, eventually attaining the position of Director in 2017.

Dr  Lucky  Ikharo was among the pioneer staff members entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the Commission’s Meeting Secretariat, a role he diligently handled for over nine years. In that capacity, he played a critical role in ensuring the smooth organization and documentation of the Commission’s high-level deliberations.

Following this period, Dr. Ikharo broadened his administrative horizon by serving in various departments within the Commission. These experiences exposed him to the diverse operational dynamics of the institution and helped shape his deep understanding of its administrative processes.

Dr. Ikharo serves as the Secretary to the Commission. His journey through different strategic units of the organisation has positioned him well for the role, affirming the popular saying that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole.

Over the years, he has held several strategic positions within the Commission. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as Director of Promotions, Discipline and Appeals, a role that placed him at the heart of staff management and administrative justice within the organisation. He later served as Director of Procurement and General Services from 2019 to 2020, overseeing critical operational and procurement processes of the Commission.

Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Ikharo is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), reflecting his commitment to professional development and capacity building in public service.Observers say his leadership style is defined by calm engagement rather than confrontation. At a time when rumours and internal tensions threaten to distract the Commission from its statutory mandate, his stewardship has focused on maintaining stability, reinforcing administrative procedures, and ensuring that the institution continues to carry out its responsibilities to the legislature and the Nigerian public.

Indeed, leadership within public institutions often unfolds quietly, away from public applause. Yet it is precisely in such moments of internal turbulence that the character of a public administrator becomes most visible. For Dr. Lucky Ikharo, the challenge has been to keep the Commission steady, demonstrating that experience, patience, and commitment to institutional integrity remain essential pillars of effective public service leadership.

Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission

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