15/10/2025
A Moment With BTO
By Olowoyo Oluwasegun
I recently paid a visit to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo—fondly called BTO and OGO AGBAYE—and the experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
From the very entrance of his residence, I could feel an air of uncommon simplicity. There was no chaos, no theatrical display of power, no intimidating convoy or swarm of security personnel one might expect around a public figure of his stature. Instead, there was calm. Pure, genuine calm.
One of my companions whispered with awe, “This is rare.” Indeed, it was.
From his balcony, where he stood engaged on a call, Dr. Tunji-Ojo acknowledged our presence with a gentle wave and a smile so effortless that it instantly erased the distance between power and the people. The aura of tranquility that enveloped the environment said it all — this was not just a public servant, but a man of the people. A man untouched by the intoxicating virus of power.
Here was a leader who understood that leadership is not domination but service; not self-exaltation but sacrifice.
It is no wonder, then, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently rated him among the shining lights of his administration — a recognition that is both well-deserved and timely. Since assuming office, BTO has redefined governance within his ministry. The once dormant Ministry of Interior now stands as one of the most vibrant and impactful arms of the Federal Government. Through his visionary leadership, Nigeria’s global image in matters of internal administration, security reforms, and public service efficiency has taken a positive turn.
While waiting to see him, I could not help but observe the steady stream of visitors arriving—traditional rulers, technocrats, captains of industry, legislators, and fellow ministers. His residence buzzed with warmth, laughter, and camaraderie. For a moment, I thought I had stepped into the home of a revered elder statesman, not that of a young minister still in his forties.
And that is precisely what makes BTO exceptional.
Despite his youth, he carries the wisdom of an elder, the empathy of a servant-leader, and the vision of a reformer. He represents the aspiration of a new generation of Nigerians who believe that leadership can indeed be clean, compassionate, and competent. Little wonder millions of Nigerian youths—especially from Ondo State and across the diaspora—see in him a reflection of hope.
He is proof that youth is not a limitation, but a platform for innovation and transformation.
The testimonies about him speak volumes. To many, BTO is not just a minister; he is a movement—one that thrives on kindness, integrity, and selflessness. Those who have been beneficiaries of his benevolence—whether through employment opportunities, business empowerment, educational support, or personal assistance—often describe him as a man who gives without seeking applause. He sees every act of kindness as a privilege to serve, not a favor to boast of.
That humility is perhaps his greatest power.
As the day matured, his residence became even livelier with the arrival of senators, members of the House of Representatives, and colleagues from the Federal Executive Council. Yet, amidst such a distinguished company, there was no air of intimidation or class division. From the gateman to the most revered guests—all interacted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and ease. It was like a single family under one roof.
When BTO finally descended from the balcony to meet his guests, he moved with quiet grace, shaking hands and exchanging warm pleasantries with everyone—no matter their status. He gave each person time, attention, and a listening ear. That rare quality of genuine human connection is what distinguishes him in a political landscape often clouded by ego and entitlement.
At that moment, I leaned toward my colleague and whispered, “Let them enjoy him while he’s here, because Ondo State is waiting to have him home to redefine leadership.”
Indeed, the people of Ondo State have long yearned for a conscientious, humane, and visionary leader like him—one whose leadership is not dictated by ambition but by compassion and conviction.
BTO’s benevolence transcends geography, politics, and ethnicity. His generosity flows across the entire landscape of Ondo State—from the far North to the riverine South. For him, leadership knows no boundary; every son and daughter of the state is his own.
His approach to youth empowerment is revolutionary. Through his numerous initiatives, thousands of young people have found purpose, employment, and opportunities to thrive. Many families now have stories of transformation linked to his interventions.
In BTO, we find not just a leader, but a symbol—an emblem of what Nigeria can become when leadership meets empathy, and power bows to purpose.
Evidently , BTO is not just serving in government; he is redefining it. Under his leadership, the Ministry of Interior has shifted from being a largely reactive, inefficient bureaucracy into a modern, revenue-generating, performance-driven institution. In 2024, the ministry generated about ₦6 billion from sources such as expatriate quotas (≈ ₦3.22 billion), marriage services (≈ ₦2.41 billion), and citizenship services, among others. He cleared a backlog of over 204,332 passport applications in just three weeks, drastically reduced the standard passport processing time, with a target of about two weeks, and introduced home and office delivery options.
The welfare of personnel has also seen major improvements: in 2023, 32,640 officers and men were promoted across the four service agencies; while in 2024 another 20,851 promotions were recorded, clearing earlier backlogs.
Renewal and recruitment also picked up: over 10,000 personnel were brought into NIS, NSCDC and the Federal Fire Service between 2023-2024. Correctional reforms also followed: 4,068 inmates were released via clearing of fines and compensations amounting to about ₦585 million, demonstrating a shift toward rehabilitation.
All of these changes show not just activity, but structural reforms — automation of processes, performance contracts, gender inclusion (35 % minimum female inclusion in new recruits) — that point to a transformed Ministry under his watch. The one+time holidays-announcing ministry has suddenly turned into an image-making one via the visionary leadership and innovations of BTO.
One needs no prophet to know BTO is not just an opportunistic politician; he is an informed, prepared, focused and committed patriot with a heart that beats for the people. Indeed when you say "Yes", your chi says "Yes".
In this rare moment I shared with him, I found renewed faith in the idea that Nigeria can truly rise again—on the shoulders of men like BTO. Ondo state is indeed fortunate and blessed to have such an amazingly illustrious son of the soil, epitomising what "A Man of the People" truly means.
As the Sunshine State prepares for an epoch-making home-coming...a once-in-a-lifetime transformative and life-changing political era of responsible, purposeful, responsive, progressive, empathetic and people-centered leadership, we can only pray that the Almighty God spears his life in perfect health to fulfill this divinely ordained mandate.
