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FG clears over 200,000 passport backlogs, settles ₦28bn debt
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Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that the Federal Government has cleared over 200,000 unprocessed passport applications and paid off ₦28 billion in legacy debts — all without additional government funding.
Tunji-Ojo disclosed this while delivering a keynote address at the Access Bank Guest Lecture Series held in Lagos on Monday.
Themed “Dare to Dream, Dare to Innovate,” the lecture focused on the need for visionary leadership, systemic reform and the transformative power of technology in public service.
“Leadership is not about reacting to problems, it is about foreseeing and solving them before they occur. And for that, you must always ask: What is your purpose? How will you execute it? And when is the right time to act?” he said.
Tunji-Ojo credited the achievements to strategic planning, innovation and the deployment of technology across the ministry. Initiatives such as the launch of an e-visa platform, contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and advanced passenger tracking systems were highlighted as major steps forward.
The minister also spoke about the dire conditions of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, calling for urgent reform. He revealed that over 4,000 inmates remain incarcerated simply because they cannot afford to pay fines as low as ₦50,000.
“This is not a legal crisis, it is a moral one. A society that punishes poverty more harshly than crime has lost its moral compass,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo noted that the ministry is collaborating with private donors to secure the release of non-violent inmates and is advocating for a shift in the prison system’s focus, from punishment to rehabilitation.
Planned reforms include digital case tracking, vocational training programs, and partnerships aimed at improving living conditions within correctional facilities.
“A correctional facility must correct, not condemn. Justice without dignity is injustice in disguise,” he said.
Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, commended the minister’s leadership and innovative approach to governance.
“Innovation is not about big budgets, it is about big thinking,” he said, adding that the minister’s work shows what real public service should look like.
The event brought together business leaders, government officials, and policy experts as part of Access Bank’s broader initiative to promote national transformation through thought leadership and service-oriented dialogue.
Concluding his address, Tunji-Ojo called on Nigerians to live purposefully and pursue excellence.
“Let Access Bank not just be a financial institution, let it be a philosophy. Let Nigeria not just be a country of potential, let it be a nation of performance. It is time to refine our genius, not just export it,” he said.
A joint police operation rescued five victims abducted near Ogbere Forest in Ogun state on Wednesday.
They were rescued within 25 hours by the Lagos and Ogun Police Commands, which were part of a joint operation codenamed KOSAYE, meaning “No Space” in Yoruba.
The woman was among the victims who were shot in the incident. Her daughter and sister were among those rescued by the police on Thursday.
The Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria has announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Ireland Fellows Programme, a fully funded scholarship scheme that will enable successful candidates to pursue Master’s degrees in Ireland.
The announcement was made in a post on the embassy’s official X handle on Friday, confirming that applications will open on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The programme is designed for early and mid-career professionals from Nigeria and Ghana who wish to undertake a one-year postgraduate study at leading universities in Ireland.
The embassy stated: “Applications for the Ireland Fellows Programme open on 29 June 2026! Apply for the opportunity to study in Ireland on a fully funded master’s scholarship.”
According to the mission, detailed information on eligibility criteria and application procedures is available on the official programme portal.
To be eligible, applicants must be citizens and residents of Nigeria or Ghana, possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Lower, and have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.
For Nigerian applicants, the programme includes the Roger Casement Fellowship in Human Rights, which supports postgraduate studies in fields such as Law, Human Rights, and Governance.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, monthly living stipends, accommodation, travel and visa costs, as well as health insurance for successful candidates.
Applications will remain open from June 29 to July 26, 2026, with submissions to be made online through the official Ireland Fellows Programme portal.
“Applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can find all info and applications here https://irelandfellows.africa @commercium_afr,” the statement added.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a strategic reshuffling of senior officers across command, training, and staff positions in the Nigerian Army.
The appointments were announced on Saturday, June 27, 2026, by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the move was to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen national security.
New GOCs for 3 and 6 Divisions–
Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace. He replaces Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
–Key command and staff changes–
Other major postings include:
– Major General JR Lar: Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison
– Brigadier General OM Oyekola: Acting Military Secretary (Army)
– Brigadier General IB Buhari: Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade
– Brigadier General K Rabiu: Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade
– Major General SA Emmanuel: Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command
– Major General O Adegbe: Director, Intelligence and Security, Defence Headquarters
Brigadier General I Waziri remains Chief of Staff in the Office of the COAS.
Training and institutional appointments—
To deepen force readiness, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School. Africans& Diaspora
Major General SO Adejimi is now Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport. Major General FS Etim will serve as Chief of Training, TRADOC NA. Brigadier General U Ahmad takes over as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Major General KO Ukandu and Major General AI Allison were named Managing Director/CEO of Post Housing Development Limited and Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited, respectively.
–“Justify the confidence”–
Anele said Shaibu urged the new appointees to demonstrate “exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment” to the Army’s mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and supporting civil authority.
“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force,” Anele stated.
Just in: Police rescue five abductees in Ogun
Ireland Opens Fully Funded Master’s Scholarship For Nigerians
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