Setting Standards For Public Sector Performance Towards Accountable Leadership And Measurable Impact In The Ministry Of Interior

By Babatunde Ogundare

The just concluded 2026 Sectoral Retreat of the Ministry of Interior provided a defining moment for reflection, accountability and renewed commitment to service delivery within the internal security architecture of Nigeria. Held from Wednesday 4th to Saturday 8th March 2026 at the Army Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja, the retreat brought together the leadership and top management of the Ministry and its agencies under the compelling theme, “Accountable Leadership, Measurable Impact: Reviewing Results, Renewing Commitments.” Organized in partnership with Zimedy Services Limited, the retreat served as a strategic platform for evaluating the sector’s performance and charting a clear path for improved service delivery to Nigerians.

The gathering brought under one roof the chief executives and senior management teams of the agencies under the Ministry, including the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB). The retreat was designed as a comprehensive full-year performance review session where agencies assessed their achievements against the performance scorecards originally developed in 2024 and refined in August 2025. More importantly, the forum provided an opportunity for honest institutional introspection, providing a platform for reviewing successes, identifying shortcomings and learning valuable lessons from both progress and setbacks.

Beyond reviewing performance, the retreat also focused on strengthening institutional commitment to measurable governance outcomes. It concluded with the finalization and signing of the 2026 performance commitments, ensuring that agencies move forward with renewed clarity, stronger accountability and well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) targets. The exercise demonstrated the Ministry’s determination to institutionalize a culture where results, not routines, define the success of public service.

Delivering the Ministerial Charge at the opening ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, commended the agencies for their dedication and the progress made in advancing the mandates of the Ministry. He reminded participants that the Ministry has a sacred responsibility to Nigerians, particularly in ensuring the protection of internal peace and security. Under his leadership, the Ministry has embraced a robust Performance Management System (PMS) in line with the Federal Government’s priorities and public service reforms that has transformed the way agencies plan, execute and evaluate their activities.

The introduction and strengthening of the PMS has become one of the most significant reforms within the Ministry. By establishing measurable indicators, the system ensures that leadership across the sector is held accountable for outcomes rather than processes. It promotes transparency, enhances coordination among agencies, encourages data-driven decision-making and ultimately improves service delivery to the Nigerian people. Through this framework, the Ministry has repositioned itself as a model of performance-driven governance within the public sector.

Beyond administrative reforms, the Minister has also demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the welfare of persons in custodial centres across the country. In a recent humanitarian intervention, Dr. Tunji-Ojo recently distributed fibre mattresses to inmates in custodial centres in Ondo State, an initiative aimed at improving living conditions and restoring dignity within correctional facilities. The initiative is set to expand significantly, with plans already underway to distribute about 50,000 mattresses to inmates nationwide in the coming months, a move that has been widely applauded as a demonstration of humane correctional administration.

The Honourable Minister has continued to demonstrate transformative leadership in repositioning agencies under the Ministry of Interior through strategic reforms and the deployment of modern technology. Through the institutionalization of digital solutions in the NIS, passport issuance and border management processes are becoming faster, more transparent, and more secure, thereby improving service delivery to Nigerians at home and abroad. He is also strengthening the operational capacity of the NSCDC to enhance the protection and supervision of critical national infrastructure nationwide. In addition, the Minister is revitalizing the FFS to reduce emergency response time nationwide, while advancing the completion and impending commissioning of the National Fire Academy to boost professional training and modern firefighting capability.

Central to the success of the retreat and the broader reform agenda of the Ministry is the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, whose leadership continues to attract admiration across the sector. Fondly referred to by the Minister as “my Stress Killer,” Dr. Ajani has become widely respected for her tireless dedication to duty, exceptional professionalism, and a leadership style that combines firmness with a distinctly motherly touch. As coordinator of the retreat, she worked relentlessly to ensure that the Performance Management System takes deep institutional root across the Ministry and its agencies. Her influence within the Ministry is both visible and profound. Through her guidance, agencies are steadily improving their operational performance and demonstrating stronger commitment to achieving their key performance indicators. Many observers within the sector acknowledge that her dedication, administrative discipline and mentorship have helped build a culture of excellence and accountability. Indeed, her impact has clearly shown and paid off, as agencies continue to record improvements in service delivery under her professional and motherly guidance.

The retreat also witnessed remarkable presentations from the agencies, beginning with the Nigerian Correctional Service, represented by its Controller-General, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni. His presentation on the Service’s performance in 2025 was widely regarded as outstanding and drew a standing ovation from the audience, which is an indication of the impressive progress recorded by the Service in custodial and non-custodial management, rehabilitation initiatives and institutional reforms. The presentation earned commendation from the Permanent Secretary as well as the consulting team from Zimedy Services.

Other agencies followed with their presentations, each highlighting progress in implementing their mandates and achieving their performance targets. Encouragingly, the retreat revealed that agency heads are rapidly embracing the culture of performance management and are increasingly committed to achieving their Key Performance Indicators. Across the sector, there is now a renewed momentum of innovation, collaboration and strategic focus toward fulfilling the Ministry’s overarching mission of safeguarding the internal security of Nigeria.

The role of Zimedy Services in supporting this transformation also deserves special recognition. Through their professional expertise and structured advisory support, the consulting firm has helped the Ministry design and implement effective performance monitoring frameworks that are already improving public service delivery. Their contribution to strengthening institutional capacity within the Ministry stands as an example of how strategic partnerships can drive meaningful reform within the public sector.

At the end of the day, the 2026 Sectoral Retreat was far more than a routine bureaucratic exercise. It was a dynamic platform for reflection, collaboration and innovation, serving as a forum where the Ministry consolidated its gains, addressed institutional challenges and strengthened the collective resolve of its agencies. As the Ministry moves forward toward achieving its 2026 targets and advancing its broader 2027 vision for national security and governance transformation, the retreat has clearly reaffirmed a powerful principle: that accountable leadership and measurable impact remain the foundation for effective governance and national progress.

Babatunde Ogundare Esq. is the Special Adviser on Correctional Reforms to the Honourable Minister of Interior.