FG Seeks Stronger Inter-Ministerial Communication To Enhance National Security

The Federal Government has emphasized the importance of a unified and strategic communication framework to strengthen coordination in Nigeria’s national security efforts.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the Minister, effective collaboration and interaction among government ministries and departments will enhance coordinated responses to security challenges such as terrorism and banditry.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has begun engaging key ministries and government agencies to better understand their operations and ensure that Nigerians are well informed about government policies and programmes.

The Minister noted that such engagements are designed to align government communication and ensure that ministries work together in projecting clear and consistent messages about national development initiatives.

Idris added that the visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration among government institutions and improve public communication on the policies and reforms of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He further stated that enhanced cooperation between the Ministries of Information and Interior will help amplify ongoing reforms in areas such as immigration services, visa administration and internal security management.

The Minister stressed that communicating government policies effectively is vital for building public trust, improving citizens’ understanding of reforms, and projecting Nigeria positively to the global community.

He also underscored the need for coordinated national messaging to ensure that accurate information reaches citizens and helps counter misinformation.

Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to showcasing Nigeria’s economic and governance reforms internationally, noting that recent economic developments and global engagements indicate growing confidence in the country.

In his response, the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, described the partnership between both ministries as critical to ensuring effective communication of government policies and reforms, especially in areas relating to citizenship administration, immigration management and national security.

He highlighted several reforms implemented by the Ministry of Interior under President Tinubu’s administration, particularly within the Nigerian Immigration Service.

These include clearing passport application backlogs, introducing contactless passport renewal for Nigerians in the diaspora, and deploying advanced technology to strengthen border management.

Tunji-Ojo revealed that when the current administration assumed office in 2023, the country faced a passport backlog of over 200,000 applications, which was cleared within two and a half weeks.

He added that the Ministry has continued to deploy technology-driven solutions aimed at improving immigration services, strengthening border security and enhancing service delivery for Nigerians both at home and abroad.

The Interior Minister also invited the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to undertake a tour of key reforms and infrastructure developments across agencies under the Ministry of Interior, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Correctional Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both ministries, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, alongside directors and advisers from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Ministry of Interior.