The Federal Government has introduced a technology-driven system to track irregular migrants, deploying an artificial intelligence platform capable of monitoring travellers who have entered the country over the past decade and identifying those who have overstayed their visas.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, disclosed this in Abuja during the 2026 Sectoral Performance Review Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Interior, stating that authorities now have comprehensive data that can help locate individuals who remain in the country beyond the validity of their visas.

According to the minister, the new system represents a major step in strengthening migration control and enhancing national security.

Tunji-Ojo noted that while the ministry had recorded notable achievements, there was a need to sustain progress by continually improving performance standards.

“Yesterday is already part of history. What matters most is what we choose to do today. Although we have reached several milestones, we must keep pushing forward to deliver more efficient services to Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that the Ministry of Interior occupies a strategic position in governance because its responsibilities span several key sectors, including identity management, border administration, correctional services, citizenship services and internal security.

The minister also praised the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, for her leadership and coordination of reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency and institutional performance.

Tunji-Ojo attributed many of the ministry’s recent achievements to the combined efforts of management staff, agency heads and personnel working collectively to ensure effective policy implementation and service delivery.

In her remarks, Ajani described the retreat as an important forum for reviewing institutional performance, assessing progress and developing new strategies to strengthen accountability within the ministry and its agencies.

She explained that the theme of the retreat — “Accountable Leadership: Measuring Impact, Refining Results and Renewing Commitments” — reflects the ministry’s determination to ensure that leadership decisions translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

According to her, the ministry’s mandate covering internal security administration, border management, migration and citizenship services remains vital to national stability and socio-economic growth.

“Accountability is central to our responsibilities because the work of our agencies affects millions of Nigerians daily. Our duty is to ensure that our policies and reforms deliver measurable improvements in public service delivery,” she said.

Ajani added that ongoing reforms within the ministry focus on strengthening institutional capacity, modernising operational systems, improving transparency and enhancing collaboration among relevant agencies.

She emphasised the importance of adopting data-based performance management, clear key performance indicators and effective monitoring systems to shift governance from activity-focused reporting to measurable outcomes.

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the role of digital transformation in improving operations across identity management systems, border security and emergency response coordination.

She noted that technology-driven reforms would significantly increase transparency while reducing inefficiencies across the ministry’s operations.

Despite the growing reliance on digital systems, Ajani stressed that human resources remain the ministry’s most valuable asset, calling for continuous investment in staff development, ethical standards and a performance-driven culture.

She further encouraged stronger collaboration with government institutions, security agencies, state authorities and international partners to enhance internal security administration and policy coordination across the country.