The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been honoured as “Minister of the Year” by the Boardroom Publications Ltd., the organisers of the Presidential Call for Advanced Nigeria (PCAN). The award recognises his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s development through transformative reforms in the Ministry of Interior, particularly in immigration services, paramilitary welfare and criminal justice.

Presenting the award, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Boardroom Publications Ltd., Prince Jeffrey Adaralegbe, described Dr. Tunji-Ojo as a “beacon of transformative leadership” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Your leadership in the Ministry has brought about monumental change, most notably in the Nigeria Immigration Service where a backlog of over 204,000 passport applications was cleared in just three weeks. The introduction of home and office delivery of passports, and the reduction of processing time to two weeks, has restored confidence in a system that was once seen as failing,” Adaralegbe said.

He also praised the minister’s efforts in criminal justice reform, including the decongestion of correctional centres by securing N585 million in fines and compensations that led to the release of over 4,000 inmates.

“These reforms are not just administrative—they show a deep concern for the welfare of Nigerians. You have demonstrated a rare blend of efficiency and compassion,” Adaralegbe added.

The event also featured a call for partnership on the Presidential Call for Advanced Nigeria (PCAN), a national campaign aimed at reshaping public perception and promoting patriotism, productivity, and unity across the country. The campaign includes a series of projects targeting civil servants, students, corps members, and market communities, with the aim of driving social reorientation and national advancement.

“Our vision is to see Nigeria rise to her rightful position among nations,” Adaralegbe explained. “We believe the Honourable Minister is an embodiment of the values we promote—efficiency, progress, compassion, and dedication to service. This is why we confer on him this honour.”

Representatives from various government agencies, directors, and stakeholders applauded the recognition, with many affirming that Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s work reflects the broader goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo, while receiving the award, reaffirmed his commitment to service. “This honour is a motivation to continue pushing boundaries for the betterment of our country. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan; it’s a mandate to make meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerians,” he stated.

Boardroom Publications announced that it plans to feature the minister’s achievements in a special edition of its magazine and called for sponsorship of its upcoming PCAN campaigns nationwide.