Abuja, July 9, 2025
There’s growing talk framed as “propaganda” suggesting former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure should be judged on emotion or partisan opinion. Instead, critics say, his record deserves scrutiny based on data and results, not political spin.
By the numbers: Between August 2019 and May 2023, the Ministry processed 4.59 million passports, fulfilling 96.9% of 4.74 million applications submitted during his tenure.
Infrastructure boost: Under his leadership, the Ministry opened new passport front offices in Daura, Zaria, Auchi, Alimosho-Lagos, Ilesa, and elsewhere.
Digital reforms: He introduced streamlined online appointments, real-time tracking, elimination of cash payments, and set firm timelines—3 weeks for renewal, 6 weeks for new passports.
No backlogs then: An internal source noted that passport delays only began after Aregbesola left office.
Instead of dismissing achievements as partisan propaganda, observers urge discourse grounded in evidence. Performance management, as a concept, asks us to measure actual impact, not follow headlines or personalities. On the passport front, Aregbesola’s legacy shows clear, measurable results worth careful reflection.