By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said that the Ministry successfully executed several multi-billion Naira capital projects in 2024 despite receiving no capital allocation.
This accomplishment, he explained, was achieved by enforcing existing contracts and ensuring contractors fulfilled their obligations.
Speaking during the 2025 budget defense session before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Interior, Tunji-Ojo revealed that some contracts dated back to 1999 and had been abandoned by contractors in violation of their agreements or under poorly implemented Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
“We completed projects like automation e-gates, the command and control center, resource centers, visa approval centers, and solar farms by thinking outside the box,” he stated.
Tunji-Ojo further emphasized that these achievements came at no additional cost to the government.
“We didn’t spend a single kobo of government money on these projects. Instead of signing new contracts, we reviewed existing ones and ensured contractors delivered on their obligations,” he explained.
Citing specific examples, the Minister noted that contractors who failed to meet their commitments were held accountable.
“For instance, a contractor responsible for visa approval centers hadn’t delivered on their agreement. We made them comply. Another contractor providing border control solutions delivered software but neglected the hardware. I made it clear that contracts must be executed holistically,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the construction of a four-megawatt solar farm worth $4 million as an example of accountability.
“We didn’t enter into new agreements. We simply insisted on contractors fulfilling their commitments. It’s about ensuring maximum value for Nigeria,” he added.
Drawing from his 20 years of experience as an IT consultant, Tunji-Ojo said he personally designed and oversaw many of the implemented solutions.
“These solutions were developed using my expertise, ensuring the government gets what it deserves,” he said.
He therefore assured the Committee that no public funds were spent on the projects and that no new contracts or concessions were signed.
“All solutions were derived from existing agreements. Not one Naira of public money was spent,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, the Minister pledged to intensify efforts in 2025, leveraging technology and reforms to enhance efficiency. He warned contractors that non-performance would not be tolerated.
“If you don’t bring value to the government, you’ll be held accountable. PPPs are not for profiteering without delivering infrastructure,” he stated.
Following the presentation, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and his House counterpart, Rep. Abdullahi Aliyu, commended the Minister for surpassing the 2024 revenue target despite the zero capital allocation.
However, a committee member raised concerns about the omission of tender fees in the budget proposal. In response, the Minister apologized and pledged to provide the details promptly.