By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transformative reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, strengthening internal security, and delivering measurable results across public institutions.
Speaking at a high-level session of the International Civil Service Conference themed “Reforms, Resilience and Results,” he said excessive bureaucracy and redundant procedures remain major obstacles to progress in the public sector. “Complexity is the enemy of progress,” he stated, stressing the need to simplify processes to unlock innovation and improve service delivery for Nigerians.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo argued that “business as usual has no place in public service” in the 21st century, noting that citizens now expect tangible results rather than explanations. He said the trust placed in public officials must be matched with performance, accountability, and a clear commitment to reform.
Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council, agency heads, diplomats, and industry leaders, the Minister highlighted the role of collaboration in driving sustainable change. He commended the professionalism of civil servants in the Ministry of Interior, describing them as key to the successes recorded so far.
Outlining the Ministry’s approach, he explained that effective reform starts with understanding the problem. He said meaningful change requires answering three questions: identifying “what is” — the current situation, defining “what ought to be” — the desired state, and determining “how” to bridge the gap through structured interventions.
The Minister warned that many reform efforts fail because of poor problem identification, which leads to misplaced solutions. “You cannot solve a problem you do not understand,” he said, adding that data-driven analysis and strategic thinking are essential for progress in internal security and governance.
He called for a shift in governance culture, urging public servants to move away from attachment to outdated systems and embrace innovation, knowledge, and practical understanding as tools for reform.
Reiterating the Ministry’s mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s internal security architecture, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve operational efficiency, and deliver results aligned with national priorities. The event, moderated by media professional Stephanie Bussari, also featured contributions from other key stakeholders.
