In a transformative move, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced sweeping reforms in the Ministry of Interior, aimed at modernizing security, immigration, and emergency response systems. Key among the reforms are plans to arm select private security companies, license private firefighting firms, and ensure Nigerians receive international passports within one week.
The disclosure came during the Ministry’s Mid-Tenure/2025 Sectoral Performance Retreat held at Zuma Rock Resorts, Suleja, where Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presented the ambitious reform agenda. According to the Minister, these reforms are designed to remove inefficiencies, eliminate corruption, and align Nigeria’s internal security and service delivery systems with global best practices.
Tunji-Ojo expressed support for repealing the 1986 Private Guards Act, describing it as outdated. He emphasized the need to confront the national debate on arming vetted private security personnel due to Nigeria’s population exceeding 230 million and the overstretched public security apparatus.
“If we don’t allow some of them—not all—to carry weapons, then what we have is not really security, but just gate men,” he asserted.
He proposed empowering the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to profile, vet, and regulate armed private security firms, while the Interior Ministry would handle corporate licensing.
On passport issuance, the Minister revealed the successful overhaul of Nigeria’s immigration process, including the establishment of a Centralized Passport Personalization Centre—Africa’s largest—achieved through renegotiated contracts at no additional cost to government.
“Nigerians deserve efficiency, not bottlenecks,” Tunji-Ojo said, reaffirming his goal of passport delivery within one week and data integrity across immigration services.
Tunji-Ojo also proposed licensing private firefighting and rescue services, noting that the 1963 Federal Fire Service (FFS) Act lacks the legal powers for enforcement, prosecution, or regulation. He emphasized the urgency of modernizing fire services to meet today’s challenges.
“If we fail in emergency response, we fail the economy,” he warned.
The Minister urged lawmakers, stakeholders, and the private sector to work with the Executive to build an efficient, tech-driven security and emergency infrastructure essential for national safety, investment protection, and sustainable development.
