The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enhance transparency, effective communication, and public engagement on matters of internal security and citizenship integrity.
The minister gave the assurance in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the NUJ to the Ministry.
He expressed appreciation for the Union’s sustained engagement, describing the Ministry of Interior as “the Ministry of the people,” whose core mandate, citizenship integrity, internal security, border management, and protection of national assets, directly impacts every Nigerian.
Tunji-Ojo underscored the indispensable role of the media in democratic governance, stressing that government institutions cannot operate in isolation.
“Where facts are not made available, assumptions take their place,” the minister noted, emphasizing the importance of proactive information dissemination in shaping public perception and strengthening trust in public institutions.
He described the relationship between the Ministry and the media as a strategic partnership anchored on accountability, transparency, and national interest.
The minister welcomed the NUJ’s proposal for structured engagements, including regular press briefings and periodic interface sessions, noting that consistent communication would help citizens better understand ongoing reforms and innovations within the Ministry.
While commending the media for what he described as balanced coverage of the Ministry’s activities, Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the value of constructive criticism in driving institutional improvement.
According to him, responsible journalism contributes significantly to policy refinement, strengthens governance processes, and promotes informed public discourse.
Earlier, NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahaya, who led members of the National Executive Council and the FCT Council on the visit, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening institutional ties and exploring areas of collaboration.
He commended the Ministry’s reform initiatives in the internal security sector and pledged the Union’s readiness to partner with relevant agencies to promote national security awareness.
The NUJ leadership proposed quarterly ministerial press briefings to provide Nigerians with direct updates on the Ministry’s programmes and reforms.
The Union also invited the minister to address its forthcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, describing the engagement as an opportunity to further enlighten stakeholders on policy directions and achievements.
Additionally, the NUJ sought collaboration in capacity development through its training institute, with emphasis on equipping journalists with deeper knowledge of security reporting, national interest considerations, and responsible information dissemination.
Both parties agreed that sustained dialogue and structured engagement remain essential to strengthening public confidence, promoting national cohesion, and ensuring citizens are well-informed on issues affecting internal security and governance.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to enhanced institutional collaboration in the service of the Nigerian people.
