. A Response to “BTO Supporters, Put the Hype on Trial”
Accountability is the bedrock of democracy, and when citizens ask a public servant to account, the answer must be facts, not insults.
That is why Lion of Bourdillon Waves – LBW, under the leadership of the National Convener, Engr. Daniel Oke, is setting the record straight, on the achievements of the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (BTO), on the table, for public scrutiny.
We do this not as praise singers, but as citizens committed to evidence based governance.
THE TEN-POINT SCORECARD: WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS ARE LISTED BELOW
1. Overhaul of Passport Administration
The Nigeria Immigration Service has begun the transition from 96 decentralised centres to a centralised passport personalisation system. Described by the Ministry as the first of its kind in NIS’ 62-year history, it is designed to improve security, quality control and efficiency.
2. Clearance of 204,000+ Passport Backlog
Within 2 and a half weeks of BTO’s directive, over 204,000 pending passport applications were cleared. Alongside this, contactless passport renewal for Nigerians in the diaspora was introduced. This is a direct, measurable relief to citizens.
3. Digitisation of Immigration Services
The Ministry has reduced physical interface in passport processing and introduced technology for better identity verification. The new centralised system targets 24 hour availability of approved passports for collection.
4. Decongestion of Correctional Centres
Over 4,000 inmates held for minor fines and compensation were released through a federal intervention. Thousands regained freedom while pressure on congested facilities was reduced.
5. Audit and Roadmap for Correctional Reform
Rather than hide problems, the Ministry set up an independent investigative panel that examined 86 correctional centres across 23 states. The panel exposed overcrowding, understaffing and decaying infrastructure, and produced a reform roadmap. A serious leader confronts weaknesses, not cover them.
6. Strengthening Operational Capacity
In February 2025, the Ministry commissioned 39 operational vehicles and 5 bullet-resistant guard booths for the Nigerian Correctional Service to improve inmate movement and court appearances.
7. Technology-Driven Border Management
Reforms are underway for e-gates and stronger digital identity systems at our borders. Modern security cannot rely on manual processes alone.
8. Recovery of Value from Stalled Projects
The Ministry has reviewed abandoned contracts and is pushing automation infrastructure, command-and-control facilities and other strategic assets back to use, instead of letting government funds waste away.
9. Shift to Rehabilitation Over Incarceration
The correctional philosophy is changing. Greater emphasis is now placed on education, vocational training and reintegration. The goal is to return rehabilitated citizens to society, not just keep people behind walls.
10. Performance-Driven Management
In March 2026, BTO signed a 2026 Performance Bond with heads of NIS, NCoS, NSCDC and Federal Fire Service after a sectoral review. This moves governance from vague claims to measurable targets.
Lion of Bourdilon Waves LBW will not pretend that all problems are solved, they are not, such as overcrowding, welfare issues, border security gaps, and firefighting capacity challenges, the Ministry’s own panel report confirmed this.
But leadership is not judged by whether you inherit a perfect system. It is judged by:
What did you inherit? What did you change? Who benefited? What remains? Will the reforms outlast you?
By that standard, the Ministry of Interior is moving in a new direction.
Some have tried to reduce this conversation to Ondo State politics and fights between supporters of BTO and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
LBW’s position is clear: Federal performance and state performance must be judged separately, on merit.
A road delivered in Ondo is a road.
A passport delivered in 24 hours is a passport delivered.
An inmate released is a life restored.
Nigeria loses when loyalty demands, that we deny reality.
The position of LBW on the questions of performance and achievements of the minister of interior by critics is this, Has Dr. Tunji-Ojo solved every problem at the Ministry of Interior? The answer is No
Has he presided over significant, documented reforms with measurable outcomes? The evidence says Yes.
The Minister should be praised where he has delivered, challenged where he has fallen short, and pushed to do more where challenges remain, that is not sycophancy, that is accountability.
The challenging questions by his critics was: “Show us ten achievements”,* *but the record provides more than ten.
It is time we stopped counting political insults and started counting outcomes.
It is time we stopped measuring ministers by the noise around them and started measuring them by the institutions they leave behind, because Nigerians do not need ministers who are merely famous, They need ministers who deliver.
The National Convener of the
Lion of Bourdillon Waves LBW*, *Engr. Daniel Oke, on behalf of the National, Diaspora and State Chapters, said the critics should avail themselves of the empirical evidence in the public domain, to be well informed and let the records continue to speak for the Federal Minister of Interior and his team.
