Passport Prince or Political Powerhouse? The Tunji-Ojo reform revolution

Hon. Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo’s journey, from rural Ondo to national leadership, reflects a powerful blend of tech expertise, antigovernment complacency, and service innovation. 1) Early Life The minister was born on May 1, 1982, in Okeagbe Akoko, Ondo State, Olubunmi “Bunmi” Tunji‑Ojo, and grew up in a community where opportunity depended on resilience. He was raised in a loving family, he learned early that dedication could open doors, and he was determined to build some himself. Tunji‑Ojo is also an engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician. ALSO READ: Visa-on-arrival policy stays – FG moves to enhance process, not scrap it 2) Education Tunji‑Ojo started primary school in Oyin Akoko (1987–1993) and proceeded to FUTA Staff Secondary School in Akure, where he became senior prefect in 1998. In 1999, he joined Obafemi Awolowo University, earning a degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, later going to London Metropolitan University for his bachelor’s (2005) and master’s (Digital Communication & Networking, 2006). By age 24, he was among Nigeria’s early certified ethical hackers, a foundation for both his tech career and analytical approach to public service. EXPLORE: NASS react as Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo proposes ₦6bn for 2025 Pre‑Political Career Returning to Nigeria, Bunmi popularly called “BTO” founded Matrix IT Solutions, becoming CEO before the age of 24. As a professional, he holds a certification in Ethical Hacking and Counter Measures. He is also a certified CompTIA Network Plus Engineer and a Britannia Hardware A+ Management Certificate Holder. In Nigeria, he consulted for the World Bank and several government agencies, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), National Health Insurance Scheme, Abuja (NHIS), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), various committees of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria Gas Company, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education among others. ALSO READ: Court summons Tunji-Ojo, AGF over proposed expatriates’ tax regime In collaboration with the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), he pioneered the first Nigerian Content Workshop (NCW) in 2016, a forum for all stakeholders in the Oil and Gas Industry to discuss freely on the Policy Framework to improve indigenous participation and making use of the Nigerian Content Policy to domicile the best global productivity and performances in Nigeria. FURTHER READING: Immigration cleared 204,332 passport applications in 10 months – Minister One of the goals of the workshop was to address the thematic issues, challenges, concerns, and ways forward and this was achieved with thirteen papers delivered and deliberated upon by speakers including Aminu Galadima (Ag. Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund); Bank Anthony Okoroafor (Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria); Waziri Adio (Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative); Geoff Onuoha (Chairman, Pipeline Professionals’ association of Nigeria, PLAN); Tunde Adelana (Director, M&ED, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board); Alhaji Habibu Abdullahi (Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority); Osagie Okunbor (Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, SPDC); Godwin Emefiele (Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria); Tonye Cole (MD, Sahara Group); Taofeek Adegbite (Chief Executive, Marine Platforms Ltd) among others. EXPLORE: ‘People will be happy to come’ — minister wants to upgrade Ikoyi prison 3) Political Career Timeline Entry into Politics 2019: He was elected to the House of Representatives (Akoko North East & West) on APC ticket. Major Milestones He chaired the House Committee on NDDC, leading the first probe into N80 billion alleged malfeasance and proposing the repeal of the NDDC Act (2021).Tunji‑Ojo sponsored and supported bills on mining, local content, education, and employee compensation.He won the re-election in February 2023 but he resigned his membership of the lower chamber of the National Assembly in August 2023.He was appointed Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu on August 21, 2023. ALSO READ: Anti-corruption group wants AGF, interior minister probed alongside Betta Edu Legislative Impact Tunji‑Ojo introduced transparency-driven reforms in NDDC funding and pushed for accountability through oversight and legislative proposals. Controversies Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu and Hon. Olubunmi Tunji‑Ojo He alleged involvement in an embezzlement scandal tied to Betta Edu’s ministry (2023); he denied wrongdoing, stating his sphere was limited to being a shareholder and a former director. EXPLORE: BREAKING: Tinubu summons Tunji-Ojo allegedly over ₦438m Betta Edu scandal 4) Achievements and Legacy Policy Highlights FURTHER READING: Meet Dr Iziaq Salako, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health – A visionary and multifaceted leader Awards & Recognition Tunji‑Ojo was named Public Service Person of the Year 2023 by Leadership Newspaper.The minister was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration (Joseph Ayo Babalola University, 2021).Bunmi received numerous awards for legislator excellence and youth leadership (2019–2021). Public Perception