Interior Ministry Reforms Didn’t Begin In 2023
- By Olufemi Aduwo
It has become imperative to set the record straight and offer a clear-eyed perspective on the legacy of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during his tenure as Minister of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2019–2023).
Amidst recent comparisons being drawn with the current Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, there has been a creeping tendency to diminish or altogether erase ,the landmark reforms achieved during Aregbesola’s stewardship. Such revisionism is not only intellectually dishonest; it is a grave injustice to institutional memory.
While it is commendable that the current Minister is injecting renewed vigour and drive into the Ministry, many of the gains now celebrated are rooted in the structural and policy groundwork already laid. One of the most impactful reforms during the previous administration was the comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s passport issuance process.
Faced with widespread dysfunction and public dissatisfaction, the Ministry, under Aregbesola’s leadership, launched the Passport Reform Programme, digitised the application system, expanded front offices domestically and abroad, and introduced enforceable delivery timelines. These were not cosmetic fixes but institutional transformations designed to modernise a broken system.
Today’s progress in passport service delivery builds upon the infrastructure, digitisation frameworks and policy reforms initiated during the previous administration. Similarly, the 2019 enactment that transformed the Nigerian Prisons Service into the Nigerian Correctional Service was a hallmark of Aregbesola’s tenure.
This shift moved the focus from retribution to rehabilitation,introducing vocational programmes for inmates, advancing non-custodial sentencing, and taking decisive steps toward decongesting overcrowded facilities. These were not rhetorical gestures but tangible reformist milestones that altered the philosophy of Nigeria’s custodial system.
Under his watch, the Federal Fire Service underwent the most significant expansion in recent history with increased budgetary support, modern fire-fighting equipment and the establishment of new zonal and state commands.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also witnessed strategic enhancement, including the creation of specialised squads to combat oil pipeline vandalism and agricultural land invasions.These far reaching initiatives collectively repositioned the Ministry as a key pillar in Nigeria’s internal security infrastructure.
Aregbesola governed with a strong sense of institutional purpose, a sharp focus on systems, and the discipline of a reformer not swayed by populism. He prioritised structural improvement over superficial acclaim,often sacrificing political comfort for lasting impact.
That said, it is equally proper to acknowledge the strides being made by the current administration. Dr. Tunji-Ojo has brought remarkable energy and administrative focus, building on existing reforms and expanding operational visibility. The continuity of governance demands that progress be sustained and improved upon,never disconnected from its roots.
In sum, the ongoing reforms in the Ministry of Interior are not a spontaneous development of 2023. They are the fruits of a well-laid foundation,the product of years of deliberate planning, legislation, and policy engineering. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola redefined the Ministry and restructured its operations. The legacy he left behind deserves not just acknowledgment but respect.
Let posterity record accurately: the reform of the Ministry of Interior began in earnest before 2023-under a leadership that was bold, visionary and reform-driven.
- Olufemi Aduwo is a writer and policy analyst.
The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author. It does not represent the editorial position or opinion of OSUN DEFENDER.
