Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo biography, Age, Wife, Career & Children
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, born on May 1, 1982, is a Nigerian engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician currently serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Interior. Before stepping into politics, he had a successful career as a business executive and was the CEO of Matrix IT Solutions Limited.
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Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo biography
Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, often known as BTO, was born on May 1, 1982, in Oyin Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. He kicked off his education at Ansarudeen Primary School in Oyin Akoko from 1987 to 1990, then moved to Hakda International School in Kaduna until 1992, wrapping up his primary schooling at Universal Primary School in Akure in 1993. After that, he attended FUTA Staff Secondary School in Akure, where he was elected senior prefect in 1998.
In 1999, he got into Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering. By 2002, during his third year, he transferred to the University of North London (now known as London Metropolitan University) to focus on Electronics and Communication Engineering, graduating in 2005.
He went on to earn a master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking from the same university in 2006. Additionally, he has an impressive collection of eighteen professional ICT certifications, including being one of the first certified ethical hackers from the Royal Britannia IT Training Academy in the UK before he even turned 24.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Career
Before diving into the political scene, Tunji-Ojo had already made a name for himself as a successful business and management executive in the ICT sector. He became the CEO of Matrix IT Solutions Limited, a top indigenous ICT consulting firm in Nigeria, at just 24 years old. On the professional front, he’s got a certification in Ethical Hacking and countermeasures, along with being a certified CompTIA Network Plus Engineer and holding a Britannia Hardware A+ Management Certificate.
In Nigeria, he has provided consulting services for the World Bank and various government bodies, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Abuja, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and several committees in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the Nigeria Gas Company and the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, among others.
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Political Career
In 2019, he was elected to the House of Representatives in Nigeria, representing the Akoko North East/Akoko North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Right after he took office, he rallied 246 fellow lawmakers to back the speakership bid of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, leading a group of first-time lawmakers. A few months later, the Speaker appointed him as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He spearheaded an investigation into alleged mismanagement of over 80 billion Naira within the commission, marking the first time in over twenty years that the NDDC’s financial activities were scrutinized. In March 2021, he introduced a bill aimed at repealing the NDDC Act to prevent abuse of power, which successfully passed its first reading.
Tunji-Ojo also served on various House of Representatives Committees, including those focused on National Security and Intelligence, Local Content, Gas Resources, North East Development Commission (NEDC), Housing, FCT Area Council and Ancillary Matters, Solid Minerals, and Pilgrims Affairs. On February 26, he was re-elected to represent Akoko North East and North West Federal Constituency. At the beginning of the 10th assembly, he took on the role of Director General for Hon. Tajudeen Abass’s campaign team, who later became the Speaker of the House. Just a few weeks into his second term in the 10th assembly, he was appointed as the Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu and was sworn in on August 21, 2023.
On January 22, 2021, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration from Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) in Osun State. He has also been honored with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Leadership Award of Excellence and the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award as a Distinguished Ambassador of African Youth.
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Ministerial Reforms and Achievements
Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, has rolled out a bunch of game-changing reforms across the key agencies he oversees. His focus has been on modernizing immigration services, boosting border security, improving the welfare of paramilitary personnel, regulating mining activities, enhancing school security, and tackling issues in correctional facilities.
As the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), he’s fast-tracked promotions to keep careers moving forward and has approved new allowances, and salary hikes, and set up the Paramilitary Pensions Board.
At the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), he helped promote 21,385 staff and launched the Mining Marshal, a special unit aimed at safeguarding mining sites across the country and fighting against illegal mining. Aware of the risks posed by unregulated mining, his administration has ramped up enforcement to protect the environment and prevent resource exploitation.
The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has also seen major upgrades under his guidance, with 1,680 personnel promoted in 2023. They’ve cut emergency response times to under 15 minutes nationwide and boosted operational efficiency by rolling out 15 rapid response vehicles and six firefighting trucks.
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo Personal Life
He’s married to Abimbola Tunji-Ojo, who’s also from Ondo State, and they have two kids together.
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Awards and Recognition
- Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration from Joseph Ayo Babalola University, located in Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State (2021).
- Recognition as a Distinguished Lecturer at the 1st African and 2nd Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Youth Health and Development in Abuja, Nigeria (2021).
- Named the most outstanding constituents-friendly Federal Lawmaker of the year by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Council (2021).
- Received an Award of Excellence from the House of Representatives Press Corps for exceptional performance as Dean of Oversight (2021).
- Honored with a Transparency and Anti-Corruption Award by the National Assembly New Media Forum for a proactive approach to transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption (2021).
- Awarded the Southwest First Alert Magazine Merit Award as the best Federal incumbent Honourable Member for significant contributions to the growth and development of the South-West region (2020).
- Received a Fellow’s Award from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (2021).
- Gold Award of Excellence in Community Development from the Southwest Nigeria Excellence Awards (2019).
- Recognized with an Outstanding Leadership Award by the Niger Delta Student Union Government for being a key player in the new Niger Delta (2021).