National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D
To: Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Honourable Minister of Interior, Federal Ministry of Interior, Abuja
The letter below is presented as the assessment of its authors. Its figures and opinions retain that attribution.
Governance becomes most convincing when its outcomes can be seen, measured and felt by the people. It is on this basis—not on political sentiment, personal affiliation or passing public applause—that the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has undertaken a careful assessment of your stewardship as the Honourable Minister of Interior.
NANS Southwest Zone D is the umbrella voice of more than 25 million students across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States. Our constituency cuts across educational institutions and communities within the six states, giving us both the responsibility and institutional weight to recognise public officials whose actions have produced measurable consequences for Nigerian students, young people and the wider society.
Since your assumption of office on 21 August 2023, we have watched the Ministry of Interior move beyond administrative routine into an era defined by urgency, innovation and results. We have observed reforms that addressed longstanding institutional failures and brought critical public services closer to the expectations of Nigerians.
A backlog of more than 204,000 passport applications, which had caused frustration and uncertainty for citizens, was cleared within approximately two and a half weeks. For the thousands of students seeking international academic opportunities, young professionals pursuing careers abroad, families travelling for legitimate purposes and Nigerians in the diaspora, this was not merely an administrative statistic; it represented restored opportunities, saved time and renewed confidence in government.
The introduction of contactless passport-renewal services, increased automation of immigration processes and deployment of electronic gates at international airports further demonstrated your determination to replace avoidable bureaucracy with technology-driven public service. These reforms have contributed to a more responsive immigration system while strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s border-management architecture.
We have also taken note of your intervention in the Nigerian Correctional Service, through which the fines of more than 4,000 inmates who remained in custody because they could not afford relatively minor financial penalties were settled. That intervention decongested correctional facilities, reduced the financial burden of keeping such inmates in custody and, most importantly, restored freedom and dignity to thousands of Nigerians.
Beyond these national reforms, your impact upon the student constituency has been direct and measurable. Your support for the NANS JCC Ondo Axis “Students to CEO 2.0” Entrepreneurship Summit provided productive business equipment to 200 students from 10 tertiary institutions, with 20 beneficiaries selected from each participating institution.
Industrial sewing machines, deep freezers, power generators and other trade and production tools were placed in the hands of young Nigerians with identifiable skills and entrepreneurial potential. Through that intervention, empowerment moved from rhetoric to productive assets, and students were given the opportunity to build businesses, earn sustainable income and develop the capacity to become employers of labour.
For us, these figures tell a coherent story: 204,000 passport applications resolved; more than 4,000 inmates assisted; 200 students empowered across 10 institutions; and millions of Nigerians benefiting from a more digital, responsive and accountable Ministry of Interior. These are not promises awaiting implementation. They are measurable outcomes of leadership.
RESOLUTION OF THE NANS SOUTHWEST LEADERSHIP
Following our assessment of your record of performance, institutional reforms, responsiveness to the needs of citizens and practical commitment to student and youth development, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone D—speaking on behalf of more than 25 million students across the six states of the Southwest—HEREBY PASSES A RESOUNDING VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HON. (DR.) OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO, HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INTERIOR.
This resolution represents our considered institutional verdict that your stewardship has demonstrated exceptional capacity, measurable performance and a standard of public service worthy of recognition, encouragement and continuity. We affirm our confidence in your leadership and encourage you to sustain and deepen these reforms in the interest of Nigerian students, young people and the general public.
In furtherance of this resolution, the Southwest zonal leadership respectfully seeks an opportunity to pay you an official courtesy visit at a date and time convenient to your office. The visit will enable our delegation to formally convey the appreciation and vote of confidence of the Southwest student constituency, while also providing an opportunity to discuss areas of constructive partnership concerning student entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, campus safety, youth development and national service.
We look forward to the privilege of meeting with you and formally communicating the collective position of our leadership and the constituency we represent.
Please accept, Honourable Minister, the assurances of our highest esteem and our sincere wishes for even greater accomplishments in your continued service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Aluta Continua! Victoria Ascerta!
Comr. Adeyemo Josiah Kayode (BILLIONCODES)
Coordinator, NANS Southwest (Zone D) — for and on behalf of the Southwest Zonal Leadership