Abuja
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Monday carried out an unscheduled inspection of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in Gwagwalada, Abuja, sending a clear message to officers and staff that inefficiency, delays, and unprofessional conduct will no longer be tolerated under the Federal Government’s ongoing service reform agenda.
The surprise visit, which was not previously announced to officials at the command, formed part of a broader effort by the ministry to strengthen accountability, improve public service delivery, and restore confidence in immigration operations, particularly in passport processing and other critical citizen-facing services.
During the inspection, Tunji-Ojo addressed officers and supervisors at the facility, urging them to eliminate unnecessary delays, streamline workflow, and ensure that applicants receive timely and professional service. He emphasized that immigration offices are among the most visible points of contact between citizens and the Federal Government, making their performance critical to public trust.
Video footage from the visit showed the minister moving through service areas, engaging staff directly, inspecting operations, and questioning supervisors on processing timelines and backlog management.
“Inefficiency will not be tolerated,” Tunji-Ojo told personnel during the inspection. “Nigerians deserve timely, transparent, and professional service from all immigration offices. Our systems must work for the people, not against them.”
The minister’s visit comes amid sustained public complaints over passport delays, congestion at immigration offices, and inconsistent turnaround times, challenges that have plagued the agency for years and generated widespread frustration among applicants.
Tunji-Ojo stressed that while reforms are already underway, on-the-ground compliance remains critical, noting that policies introduced at headquarters must translate into improved service at command levels.
“The ministry is intensifying oversight because reform does not happen on paper alone,” he said. “It must be visible, measurable, and felt by Nigerians.”
The Gwagwalada inspection is part of a nationwide operational assessment programme launched by the Ministry of Interior, under which the minister has been conducting spot checks across immigration commands and related agencies without prior notice.
According to ministry officials, the inspections are designed to:
- identify operational bottlenecks,
- monitor staff conduct and workflow,
- enforce compliance with federal directives, and
- ensure that digital and manual systems are being properly utilized.
In recent weeks, similar checks have reportedly been carried out in other facilities as part of efforts to modernize immigration services and eliminate long-standing inefficiencies.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated that the reforms are aimed not only at improving internal efficiency but also at restoring public confidence in government service delivery, particularly in agencies that interact daily with ordinary Nigerians.
The Immigration Service plays a central role in:
- passport issuance,
- border management,
- visa processing,
- residency permits, and
- national security coordination.
As such, the minister stressed that every delay, error, or act of negligence directly affects citizens and the country’s international reputation.
Officers Pledge Compliance and Improved Service
Officials at the Gwagwalada Immigration Office welcomed the minister’s visit and assured him of improved responsiveness. They pledged to align fully with the ministry’s reform agenda and to ensure that processing timelines and service standards are met consistently.
Senior officers also briefed the minister on operational challenges at the command, including rising demand for passport services and logistical constraints, while committing to addressing internal lapses within their control.
The Ministry of Interior has indicated that unscheduled inspections will continue nationwide, signaling that no command will be exempt from scrutiny as the reform drive gathers pace.
According to ministry sources, the inspections will remain a key enforcement tool to ensure that:
- reforms are sustained,
- officers remain accountable, and
- service quality improves across all immigration facilities.
For applicants and members of the public, the minister’s visit sends a strong signal that the era of unchecked delays and poor service may be drawing to a close, as the government steps up pressure on agencies to deliver results.