By Elizabeth Toyon & Maria Yusuf
As the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration clocks two years, he has made several achievements through his Renewed Hope Agenda.This agenda has been implemented through the operations of active Ministers in the country.
Amongst these Ministers are Ministers with outstanding performances.In critical consideration of their contributions in their various areas of operations, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior have made giant strides.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has distinguished himself as a reformist with results to show. Two years into his tenure, the Ministry of Interior has undergone a quiet revolution one defined by digital transformation, improved security infrastructure, and citizen-centric service delivery.
Within weeks of assuming office, the minister cleared a backlog of over 204,000 passport applications, a chronic issue that had breached the public trust in the Nigeria Immigration Service. Today, with a guaranteed two-week processing timeline and home delivery options, Nigerians both at home and abroad are finally experiencing responsive governance.
The installation of e-gates at international airports and the rollout of a Command and Control Center with a 1.4 petabyte data capacity have bolstered border monitoring. A centralized Visa Approval Center now integrates Interpol data, enhancing national security through smarter screening processes. In addition, the ministry has completed 40% of Nigeria’s e-border system an important milestone in managing the country’s porous borders.
His reforms have also touched Nigeria’s long neglected correctional system. Over 4,000 inmates were released through a ₦600 million fund raised from private sector donors, easing overcrowding and saving the government nearly ₦1 billion annually. The rehabilitation of dilapidated facilities, including Kuje Correctional Centre, signals a more humane and structured correctional policy.
Beyond security and immigration, the ministry has automated services related to expatriate quotas, marriage registrations, and citizenship, generating over ₦6 billion in 2024 alone. In a nod to inclusivity, the recruitment of over 10,000 officers included a 35% quota for women a progressive step rarely seen in Nigeria’s public institutions.
In January 2025, Minister Tunji-Ojo was named the Best Performing Minister by the Nigeria Citizen Action Group.
Being a dynamic leader, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development , Festus Keyamo was appointed as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Banjul Accord Group (BAG) States. The Banjul Accord Group was established to foster sub-regional cooperation and collaboration in the development of safe and sustainable civil aviation systems in West Africa, in line with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
As Chairman, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister is expected to provide strategic leadership to the Council in driving regional cooperation, harmonization of aviation policies, and the implementation of key initiatives aimed at enhancing air transport safety, efficiency, and development in the BAG region.
As regards engaging stakeholders, he has strengthened partnership between action players in the aviation industry. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had the highest level of stakeholder engagement in 2024.
On connectivity, he has shown interest in exploring additional areas of cooperation in aviation and aerospace development, including knowledge exchange, technical training, infrastructure development, and investment opportunities.
In consideration of the increasing demand for travel from Nigeria to Jamaica, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer , proposed the idea of combining the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Jamaica to the Minister of Aviation who welcomed the idea and stated that the process begins immediately.
Recently , he approved the commencement of direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil , a major milestone that will open up new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
On compliance ,the Minister , through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority (FAAN) , stricter actions have been taken on non-compliant Airline Operators.
In January, the NCAA for the first time in its 25-year history sanctioned five airlines for consumer protection-related infractions.
To strengthen aviation security, the Director General of the NCAA Chris Najomo , ordered that from October 1, 2025, all aviation security personnel in Nigeria undergo the basic 123 Aviation Security (AVSEC) course as a baseline training and certification for all aviation security screeners and develop and implement measures to protect the critical information and communications technology systems and data from unlawful interference.
FAAN phased out physical luggage screening at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos following the installation of advanced Rapiscan screening machines and surveillance systems at key checkpoints within both the old and new terminals.The new technology is aimed at streamlining security processes and reducing pre-flight check-in time.
The minister inaugurated an E-gate installed by FAAN at the departure wing of the Lagos airport.The E-gate was installed to enhance passenger comfort, reflecting the minister’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s aviation sector and delivering a better travel experience.
On Infrastructural Development, he has announced that the Lagos Airport will be demolished and a smart Airport will be erected.
Nyesom Wike has implemented transformative initiatives across infrastructure, governance, security, and social services, significantly enhancing the federal capial territory’s development.
Wike prioritised the completion of long abandoned projects, including the Abuja Light Rail, Southern Parkway, and Outer Southern Expressway. He oversaw the resurfacing of 189 city roads covering 57 kilometers and initiated the construction of over 42.2 kilometers of rural roads across the six Area Councils, improving connectivity and economic activities in both urban and rural areas .
Under his leadership, the FCT Administration gained financial autonomy by exiting the Treasury Single Account, allowing better utilisation of internally generated revenue for development projects . He established the FCT Civil Service Commission, enabling career progression for civil servants, and created new Secretariats for Women Affairs and Youth Development to promote inclusivity .
To bolster security, Wike provided over 100 vehicles and 100 motorcycles to security agencies and vigilante groups, enhancing their operational capacity . He also established a Joint Task Force to address crimes like “one-chance” robberies, resulting in a noticeable reduction in security breaches .
In education, his administration rehabilitated several schools and reintegrated over 22,000 out-of-school children into formal education .
He addressed a backlog of teachers’ arrears and approved promotions for over 1,000 staff, improving morale within the civil service . In healthcare, initiatives like Project 10 Million targeted noncommunicable diseases, and upgrades to primary healthcare infrastructure were undertaken to align with universal health coverage goals .
Nyesom Wike’s administration organised the Abuja Investment Summit, attracting commitments in real estate, technology, and renewable energy sectors, positioning the FCT as an economic hub . Efforts to modernize transportation included introducing 80 new vehicles into the FCT transportation fleet and constructing three modern bus and taxi terminals in strategic locations to improve urban mobility and safety .
In January 2025, Wike was nominated as Thisday Newspaper and Arise Television’s Minister of the Year 2024.
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