Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday stated that the Ministry successfully executed various multi-billion Naira capital projects in 2024, despite receiving zero capital allocation from the budget.
The Minister disclosed this while speaking during the 2025 budget defense session before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Interior.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo informed the lawmakers that the achievements were made possible by reviewing and enforcing existing contracts, compelling contractors to fulfill their obligations as stipulated in their agreements.
The Minister explained that some of the contracts, dating back as far as 1999, had been abandoned by contractors either in breach of contract terms or under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or concession agreements.
According to him, “We were able to complete automation e-gates, the command and control center, resource centers, visa approval centers, solar farms, and other projects by thinking outside the box.”
“We didn’t spend a kobo of government money to do some of these things. What we did was avoid entering into new contracts. Instead, we reviewed existing ones and implemented value proposition management to ensure contractors fulfilled their obligations.”
“For example, someone with a contract for issuing visa approval centers (VACs) hadn’t built a VAC center. We had to ensure they delivered. Another contractor providing border control solutions implemented the software component but failed to deliver the hardware, which is essential for e-gate solutions. I made it clear that contracts cannot be implemented partially—they must be executed holistically,” he said.
He described the accountability measures instituted to ensure compliance, highlighting the construction of a four-megawatt solar farm, valued at approximately $4 million, as an example.
According to him, “We didn’t enter into new agreements or PPPs. We simply demanded that contractors fulfill their existing obligations. It’s about accountability and ensuring maximum value for Nigeria.”
The Minister credited his background as an Information Technology (IT) consultant with over 20 years of experience for enabling him to design and oversee these solutions effectively.
He said, “Most of these solutions were personally designed by me. I consulted directly, using my expertise to ensure that the government gets what it deserves.”
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Tunji-Ojo assured the Committee that no public funds were used for the commissioned projects, and no new contracts or concessions were signed.
According to him, “Every solution was derived from existing contracts. Not one naira of public money was spent. It’s about ensuring Nigeria gains value from previously signed agreements.”
After presenting the proposed 2025 budget, Tunji-Ojo pledged to continue leveraging technology and reforms to address challenges and improve efficiency.
According to him, “In 2025, we will intensify our efforts. If contractors do not bring value to the government, they will be held accountable. We are not Father Christmas. PPPs exist because the government cannot fund everything. Profit-sharing without delivering infrastructure is callous, wicked, and unacceptable.”
The lawmakers took turns to commend the innovation and accountability demonstrated by the Minister in running his ministry despite the zero budgetary allocation.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and the House of Representatives counterpart, Rep. Abdullahi Aliyu, commended the Minister for surpassing the 2024 revenue target despite the zero capital allocation.
However, after a committee member pointed out the omission of tender fees in the budget proposal, the Minister apologized and promised to provide the details promptly.
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