Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has announced that the ministry generated over N6 billion in revenue in 2024.
The revenue was accrued from services such as expatriate quotas, marriage services, citizenship applications, and place of worship registrations. The announcement underscores the ministry’s role in internal security, immigration, civil defense, and related services, as well as its capacity to generate substantial non-oil revenue for the government.
Providing a detailed breakdown of the revenue sources, Tunji-Ojo disclosed that N3,220,035 came from expatriate quotas, N2,409,282 was generated from marriage services, N392,790 was derived from citizenship applications, while N12,350 came from place of worship registrations. The figures reflect the financial contribution of these administrative services to Nigeria’s revenue base, reinforcing the importance of efficient service delivery within the ministry.
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However, while the revenue generation of the Ministry of Interior is commendable, it raises concerns about the increasing transformation of government agencies into revenue-generating institutions. The primary role of these agencies is to provide essential public services, but in recent years, many of them appear more focused on increasing internally generated revenue rather than prioritizing service delivery.
This shift has been particularly evident in agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police Force, which have introduced various charges and levies that directly impact citizens.
The case of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is particularly striking. The agency, which is responsible for handling immigration-related services, has increasingly relied on revenue generation as a major focus. This became evident in January 2024, when the NIS increased the cost of international passports by nearly 100%, citing rising operational costs. The move sparked public outcry, as it placed an additional financial burden on Nigerians who were already grappling with severe economic hardship, high inflation, and a depreciating naira.
Before the price hike, a 32-page passport cost N25,000, but the new rates doubled the price to N50,000. Similarly, the 64-page passport, previously N70,000, now costs N100,000, while other premium services such as fast-track processing require even higher fees.
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over what they see as the commercialization of essential public services, arguing that instead of prioritizing efficiency and accessibility, agencies like the NIS have resorted to using price hikes as a means of increasing revenue.
The situation with the NIS is not an isolated case. Several other agencies under the Ministry of Interior, as well as other ministries, have increased service charges under the guise of boosting internally generated revenue (IGR).
This trend of government agencies acting as profit-making entities rather than service providers raises fundamental questions about governance priorities. While revenue generation is necessary for funding government operations, there is growing concern that it is coming at the direct expense of the citizens, many of whom are struggling with high living costs, stagnant wages, and limited access to affordable public services.
Mass Promotions and Recruitment Drive
Beyond revenue generation, the minister also highlighted significant strides in promotions and recruitment within the four key agencies under the Ministry of Interior, namely the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Federal Fire Service (FFS), and the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to Dr. Tunji-Ojo, a total of 32,640 officers and men were promoted across these agencies in 2023, largely due to the clearance of a backlog of pending promotions. He emphasized that there is currently no backlog in any of the ministry’s services, signaling a shift towards improved personnel management.
“In 2023, we had a higher number of promotions because of the backlog, which we have now cleared. There is currently no backlog in any of the services,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
In addition to promotions, the ministry has also been actively recruiting personnel to strengthen the nation’s security infrastructure. Between 2023 and 2024, a total of 10,783 officers and men were recruited into the NIS, NSCDC, and FFS. The minister explained that in 2023, the NIS recruited 5,283 personnel, while the NSCDC recruited 3,000 officers. In 2024, the FFS announced the recruitment of 2,500 firefighters.
The minister also noted that the 2024 promotion exercise saw 20,851 personnel across various agencies elevated in rank, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to rewarding and motivating officers in the security sector. The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) promoted 5,331 personnel, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) promoted 5,088 personnel, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) promoted 486 personnel, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had the highest number, with 9,946 personnel promoted.
Crackdown on Indiscipline and Migration of Personnel
Beyond recruitment and promotions, the minister emphasized that discipline remains a top priority within the ministry. He warned that any form of indiscipline or misconduct would not be tolerated, revealing that several disciplinary cases were currently being addressed within the various agencies.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo also addressed the issue of personnel migration, commonly referred to as “japa”, where government workers resign and relocate abroad in search of better opportunities. He disclosed that the ministry completed the first phase of a manpower audit in 2024, which revealed significant leakage due to personnel migration. However, he assured the public that the ministry had implemented measures to block such leakages and ensure that Nigeria’s security agencies retain their skilled workforce.
To enhance efficiency and accountability, the Minister of Interior revealed that all agency heads under the ministry are now required to sign performance contracts. These contracts establish clear targets and expectations for service delivery, ensuring that officials remain committed to their responsibilities.