The Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to overhaul Nigeria’s correctional system, strengthen border security through digital innovation, and tighten financial controls across its institutions as part of broader governance reforms.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated this in Abuja while receiving the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Speaking during the engagement, the minister underscored the need to reposition Nigeria’s correctional system beyond custodial functions to one that prioritises rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society. He stressed that government has a duty of care to all citizens, including those in custody, insisting that inmates must be treated with dignity and given opportunities to return to society as better individuals.
Tunji-Ojo explained that the shift from the old Prisons Act to the Nigerian Correctional Service Act was a deliberate policy decision aimed at transforming the system into a modern correctional framework focused on reform rather than punishment.
On border management, the minister disclosed that the Correctional Information Management System currently holds over 50 million records compiled from operations across Nigeria’s seaports and airports, with ongoing efforts to integrate land border data. He noted that the platform is designed to detect irregularities and prevent unauthorised entry, reflecting a proactive security architecture.
“We are building systems that can stop problems before they happen, not just respond after the damage is done,” he said.
The minister also emphasised the importance of strengthening internal financial systems across government agencies. While acknowledging the role of audits, he maintained that preventive controls are more critical in blocking leakages and ensuring transparency.
“It is not enough to detect issues after they occur. The real goal is to put systems in place that make such issues difficult to happen in the first place,” he added.
He called for deeper collaboration between government and professional bodies like ICAN, particularly in areas such as revenue assurance, internal controls, and financial transparency. According to him, such partnerships are essential to improving efficiency and boosting investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.
Tunji-Ojo further highlighted the need to expand fire and rescue services nationwide, noting that achieving wider coverage would require innovative funding models and stronger partnerships with the private sector.
He congratulated ICAN on its forthcoming West Africa Accountants Conference slated for December 2026 and commended the growing participation of women in professional leadership, describing it as a positive signal for the future.
Earlier, ICAN President, Mallam Haruna Yahaya, applauded the ministry’s reform efforts and proposed the establishment of a joint ICAN–Ministry Financial Integrity and Revenue Assurance Task Force. He said the initiative would focus on key areas including revenue assessment within the Nigeria Immigration Service, payroll analysis across uniformed services, and procurement risk reviews, with the aim of reducing leakages and strengthening accountability across government operations.
