Interior Minister Signs Performance Contracts, Urges Agencies To Boost Service Delivery

In a significant move to bolster public service efficiency, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has formalised performance contracts with the heads of agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

This initiative aims to strengthen the Ministry’s legacy and ensure measurable improvements in service delivery.

Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the conclusion of the Ministry of Interior’s 2024 retreat (Assuming the retreat was for 2024 performance and planning for 2025), the minister highlighted the event, which also included the signing of performance contracts by all board members.

He stated: “This initiative is about its impact on Nigerians and on Nigeria as a whole.”

During the signing ceremony, Tunji-Ojo said: “Our Ministry signed a performance contract with Mr. President last year.

Having executed that for a year, it is now time to extend this level of accountability to each agency.”

He noted that the performance contracts, which include measurable timelines for delivery, are designed to improve services to Nigerians and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister also emphasized that this exercise is not merely symbolic but is intended to have a meaningful impact on Nigeria’s security landscape.

Challenging common stereotypes, Tunji-Ojo commended the Ministry’s staff for their commitment and hard work. He remarked: “Some people often say civil servants are ‘evil servants.’ Personally, I do not share that view. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people God has created here in the Ministry of Interior.”

The Minister paid tribute to M.T. Umar, who recently retired after 35 years of service, describing him as instrumental to Nigeria’s passport reforms. “The story of our passport revolution cannot be told without his name,” he acknowledged.

He further stated that retirement does not deprive the nation of one’s knowledge, character, or service.

He urged staff to emulate Umar’s loyalty and integrity, stressing that “talent and brilliance are important, but it is loyalty and integrity that sustain a career.”

Addressing the agencies under the ministry – the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) – the minister commended their achievements but called for greater efforts in immigration reforms, protection of critical assets, correctional transformation, emergency response, and data security.

He stated: “Our task is to ensure Nigerians feel our impact in their daily lives through safer communities, efficient services, and systems that inspire trust,” while further reminding the agencies that their collective output directly contributes to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, heads of key agencies pledged to scale up performance following the retreat.

Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, said the exercise offered a chance to review past achievements and correct shortcomings.

“Based on the contracts we signed last year, we have performed well. However, there are areas for improvement, and that is the essence of this retreat,” he said.

Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, described the retreat as timely.

“Sometimes, while busy trying to improve performance, it is necessary to take time to evaluate ourselves. By early next year, we should be able to appraise our progress,” he said.

For his part, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Samuel Olumode, said the exercise was an “eye-opener” for his agency. “By the next retreat, there will be a positive impact, and Nigerians will know there is a new fire service in place,” he assured.

Olumode stressed that the performance contracts were a pledge of accountability. “It’s about signing a commitment to let the Nigerian public know it’s not business as usual. We must strengthen mechanisms that enable us to perform and give real value to our jobs.”