AINPN Honours Tunji-Ojo with 2026 Southwest Leadership Icon Award
…Recognises Minister’s Excellence in Public Service, Innovation for Safety and Citizens’ Welfare
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has been honoured with the 2026 Southwest Leadership Icon Award by the Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (AINPN), Southwest Chapter, in recognition of his exemplary leadership, outstanding public service, and innovative reforms that have significantly enhanced safety, security, and the welfare of Nigerians.
The prestigious award was presented on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, during AINPN’s annual leadership awards programme. The event, themed “Fostering Regional Prosperity: Economic and Security Integration in Southwest Nigeria,” brought together an impressive gathering of dignitaries from across the Southwest, including government officials, traditional rulers, captains of industry, academics, media practitioners, and civil society leaders.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo received the award in the category “Excellence in Public Service: Innovating for Safety and Welfare,” in recognition of his transformational leadership and far-reaching reforms in the Ministry of Interior. Since assuming office, the Minister has championed technology-driven initiatives that have improved passport administration, strengthened border security, enhanced correctional services, and repositioned the Ministry as a model of efficiency, accountability, and responsive governance.
The organisers noted that the award was conferred on the Minister in appreciation of his visionary leadership, commitment to public sector innovation, and unwavering dedication to policies that directly improve the lives of Nigerians while advancing national security.
The Minister was represented at the event by the Director General of the Sunshine Grassroots Network (SGN), Hon. Dayo Awude, who received the award on his behalf. He was accompanied by the Deputy Director of SGN, Hon. Dabo Festus; the Secretary of the Network, Hon. Olu Egbodofo; and Kuye Babatunde, a member of the delegation.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Awude expressed Dr. Tunji-Ojo’s appreciation to the Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria for the honour. He described the recognition as a call to greater service and reaffirmed the Minister’s commitment to implementing people-oriented policies and sustaining reforms that promote national security, efficient service delivery, and the welfare of all Nigerians.
The well-attended ceremony also featured a keynote lecture on regional development and security, as well as the launch of the AINPN Southwest Secretariat Project, underscoring the association’s commitment to promoting responsible journalism and sustainable development in the region.
The latest honour further adds to the growing list of national and international recognitions earned by Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his impactful leadership and reform-oriented approach to governance, reinforcing his status as one of Nigeria’s most innovative and result-driven public office holders.
🖋️ Babatunde KUYE