Celebration as Minister of Interior Dr. Tunji-Ojo Unveils Electronic Records System
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) It was a moment of joy for the minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the permanent secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani,
the head of civil service of the federationN, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack and the management and staff of the ministy as the the minister unveiled Electronic Records System.
Unveiling the Electronic Records System, also known as Interior Electronic Records and Archiving System (IntERAS) in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Tunji-Ojo hinted that the ministry is ready to operate mobile and on-the-move offices.
The elated minister attributed the milestone achievement of the ministry to hard work, dedication and resilient of the staff tricling down from the permanent sectetary whom he addressed as the backbone of the ministry to the least of the staff. However, Dr. Tunji-Ojo said IntERAS would be replicated across all agencies under the ministry, stressing that technology is central to delivering efficient governance.
“This is 2025, not 1975. Technology must play its role in governance. You cannot run any process without catalysts, and technology is that catalyst which speeds up progress,” he said.
The Minister explained that IntERAS would allow him and his team to run mobile offices, process documents faster, and eliminate delays.
“My policy has always been that no file stays overnight on my desk. With this system, I can now work on the move and process documents more efficiently,” he said.
Highlighting other reforms, Tunji-Ojo said the Citizenship and Business Department is now fully automated, with online applications available for citizenship, business permits, and marriage licenses.
He added that quota administration has been made fraud-proof through data harmonization with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), while electronic SEPAC has replaced manual forms.
He disclosed that the Ministry had built an 8.3 petabyte, Tier-4 solar-powered data center to secure government data ownership, and that Nigerian borders are now monitored with advanced surveillance and the UN-mandated Advanced Passenger Information System, enabling immigration officers to know travelers before they arrive.
Tunji-Ojo said reforms also extended to the Federal Fire Service, which has been automated to track response times with verifiable data.
He credited President Bola Tinubu for backing the reforms, saying the President had never turned down any memo on public service transformation.
“This is only the beginning. We will not stop until the Ministry is fully automated and all its agencies are integrated into IntERAS,” the Minister said.
He commended the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, directors, and staff of the Ministry for their contributions, stressing that the transformation was achieved through sacrifice and not government allocations.
He also appreciated consultants, including Zimedi, for helping raise the Ministry’s performance index from 62 to 85 percent.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ajani, disclosed that it took the Ministry nine months to develop IntERAS.
She noted that the Ministry currently has 275 computers and plans to acquire more, with staff now able to work from anywhere in the world.
Meanwhile, th le Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who performed the formal launch, praised the Ministry for becoming the 18th MDA to go live on the electronic content management platform.
“By steering the Ministry of Interior to become the 18th ministry to go live on the ECM platform, you have proven that with vision, teamwork, and commitment, digital transformation is achievable,” she said,
She warned that the December 31 paperless deadline for MDAs is feasible, while urging other ministries yet to adopt the system to act quickly, saying, “time is ticking, and December 31 is around the corner. Get on board now, or risk being left behind.”
Walson-Jack also commended the Minister’s leadership, noting reforms in passport issuance, visa and residence permits, and border management.
She, however, urged the Ministry to ensure the automation of its Performance Management System.
The highlight of the event was the cutting of the milestone achievement’s cake to the admiration of the entire staff of the ministry.
