By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Ministry of Interior says it is leveraging advanced technology to enhance security and operational efficiency across its various departments and agencies.
A statement on Monday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ozoya Imohimi, mentioned such technology to include biometrics, artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance systems.
The initiatives include the integration of digital tools and platforms to streamline administrative processes, improve data management and facilitate real-time intelligence sharing among security agencies.
During a three-day top management retreat that held from 24th to 26th May 2024, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, said the ministry seeks to strengthen capabilities in crime prevention, border control and emergency response.
The retreat, which brought together senior officers from the ministry and its agencies, emphasized a result-driven approach to enhance efficiency, security and innovation across all operations.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, while reiterating the ministry’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration, urged staff to adopt a busines-minded approach to public administration.
“We must run public administration with the same diligence as private business. This mindset is crucial for driving the excellence we aspire to achieve in our public offices”, the minister said.
He also outlined several key actions to be undertaken, stressing the critical role of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in protecting national assets, and called for a specialised focus on preventing pipeline vandalism and securing educational institutions among other critical infrastructure.
Addressing the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Tunji-Ojo advocated for substantial policy reforms to transform correctional centres. He highlighted the need for policies that protect fundamental human rights and reduce the number of non-violent inmates awaiting trial, and stressed that, “we must ensure our correctional facilities are truly rehabilitative”.
Noting the importance of performance metrics and accountability, the minister urged the management to consistently evaluate their operations against the ministry’s scorecard and make necessary adjustments to meet and exceed targets.
