Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Charges Ministry of Interior Staff on Professionalism, Efficiency, and Service to Nigeria

Introduction

In a call to elevate public service standards, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has charged staff across key paramilitary agencies to embrace professionalism in public service, boost efficiency in government agencies, and commit fully to service to the nation. This directive came during a capacity-building program organized by the Personnel Management System (PMS) at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The event underscores the Renewed Hope agenda of the current administration, emphasizing institutional reforms in Nigeria’s security and interior sectors. Agencies under the Ministry of Interior—including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NCoS, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)—play pivotal roles in national security, border control, corrections, and emergency response. Tunji-Ojo’s message aims to foster excellence amid ongoing reforms, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Vanguard News on November 4, 2024.

Background on the Minister and Event

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, assumed office as Minister of Interior with a mandate to modernize these vital institutions. The capacity-building initiative highlights continuous efforts to enhance skills and align operations with national priorities.

Analysis

Tunji-Ojo’s address provides a roadmap for transforming Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies into models of professionalism and efficiency. By invoking personal passion and historical inspiration, he shifts focus from routine duties to a legacy-driven mindset. This approach addresses longstanding challenges in public service, such as bureaucratic delays and morale issues, common in developing nations’ security sectors.

Core Themes in the Speech

Central to his message is rededication to professional tasks, improving service delivery, and demonstrating the Renewed Hope agenda—President Bola Tinubu’s blueprint for economic revival, security enhancement, and governance reform. The program itself promotes institutional efficiency, inter-agency collaboration, and public service excellence, essential for tackling Nigeria’s security threats like insurgency, migration pressures, and fire disasters.

Drawing from Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar, Tunji-Ojo urged participants: “Don’t leave your institution as a city of bricks; leave it as a city of marble. Make a difference and, beyond that, be the difference.” This metaphor encourages sustainable improvements, aligning with global best practices in public administration where leadership inspires legacy-building.

Implications for Paramilitary Agencies

For NSCDC, which protects critical infrastructure; NCoS, managing over 80,000 inmates; Federal Fire Service, responding to urban fires; and NIS, handling millions of border crossings annually, this charge means streamlined operations and ethical conduct. It positions these bodies as partners in national reforms, potentially reducing corruption perceptions and enhancing public trust.

Summary

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo tasked Ministry of Interior paramilitary staff to uphold professionalism, efficiency, and service to Nigeria at a PMS capacity-building event in Abuja. He emphasized treating one’s profession as a “first love” to guard with integrity, leaving institutions improved, and aligning with the Renewed Hope agenda. Gratitude was extended to agency heads for their reform contributions.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To implement Tunji-Ojo’s charge, paramilitary staff can adopt actionable strategies rooted in professionalism in public service. Here’s pedagogical guidance:

Enhancing Efficiency in Daily Operations

Prioritize time management tools like digital workflows in NIS for faster passport processing or NSCDC patrols using data analytics for threat prediction. Regular training, as in the PMS program, builds skills—aim for certifications in leadership and ethics.

Fostering Inter-Agency Collaboration

Establish joint task forces, e.g., NCoS and Federal Fire Service for prison fire drills. Share best practices via quarterly forums to embody the Renewed Hope agenda.

Building Personal Integrity

Treat duties as a “first love” by setting daily integrity pledges. Document improvements, like reducing processing times by 20%, to “leave marble” legacies.

Leaders should mentor juniors, track metrics via KPIs, and celebrate wins to sustain morale. These steps, drawn from proven public sector models, ensure tangible progress.

Points of Caution

While inspiring, implementation requires vigilance against pitfalls in Nigeria’s public service context:

• Resource Constraints: Limited funding may hinder training; advocate for budgets without compromising core duties.
• Resistance to Change: Veteran staff might resist reforms—counter with inclusive communication.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Avoid silos by enforcing collaboration protocols.
• Burnout Risks: Balance passion with wellness programs to prevent fatigue in high-stress roles like corrections or immigration.

Maintain transparency to build trust, as lapses could undermine the “be the difference” ethos.

Comparison

Tunji-Ojo’s approach mirrors global public service leaders. Like Augustus Caesar’s infrastructure legacies in Rome, it promotes enduring improvements. In Nigeria, it echoes past reforms under ministers like Rauf Aregbesola, who digitized NIS passports, boosting efficiency by 70%.

Versus International Benchmarks

Compare to Singapore’s Public Service Division, emphasizing meritocracy and integrity, or the UK’s Civil Service Code, focusing on impartiality. Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies can adopt similar codes, adapting Tunji-Ojo’s passion-driven model to local needs for competitive edge.

Legal Implications

In Nigeria, public officers are bound by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers (Fifth Schedule, 1999 Constitution), mandating integrity, diligence, and efficiency. Breaches attract sanctions via the Code of Conduct Bureau. Tunji-Ojo’s charge reinforces these, with no new legal mandates but heightened accountability under the Public Service Rules (2021), which emphasize performance bonds and anti-corruption compliance. Agencies like NCoS operate under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019, requiring professional standards.

Conclusion

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s charge to Ministry of Interior staff on professionalism, efficiency, and service to Nigeria marks a pivotal moment for paramilitary reforms. By promoting passion, collaboration, and legacy, it aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda, promising stronger national security. Staff who heed this—upgrading “bricks to marble”—will drive sustainable progress, benefiting citizens and institutions alike.

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