At 44, Tunji-Ojo wears the Golden Badge  of Honour for Vision and Service Delivery

Grace, divine favour, benevolence, all these have been bestowed on Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.

Without doubt, life has been good to him. And for a man who is generally believed to be blessed with the proverbial Midas touch, Tunji-Ojo has never disappointed his large crowd of admirers.

From his time in the House of Representatives, the people of the Akoko North East/Akoko North West federal constituency began to experience, perhaps for the first time, what it really meant to have a representative in the green chamber.

There is, undeniably, a certain finesse to his leadership style—a blend of policy depth, conscious dedication to service delivery, and an uncanny unwillingness to be constrained by bureaucracy.

It was, therefore, not surprising when on Friday, May 1, 2026, his friends and colleagues rolled out the drums to celebrate him as he turned 44.

Those close to him speak of a man who balances politics with humility, power with accessibility. These are rare virtues all combined in one man in a world often defined by titles and achievements.

His transformation programs and immediate impact in the ministry speak volumes about his readiness for the job. A ministry once known for only announcing public holidays had a turnaround that caught the attention of the entire world. In the immigration department, correctional centres and the NSCDC, it became obvious that Nigeria can be transformed with round pegs in round holes.

Tunji-Ojo’s dedication to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the determination that the president gets a second term is infectious. In Ondo State, his influence in the various pro-Tinubu groups is a strong assurance to all that the president is the candidate to beat in the Sunshine State. Though not one to tune up the loudspeakers for a birthday ceremony, his political and business associates, as well as admirers, will not have any of such. They stormed his Abuja residence to celebrate a man whose impact continues to be felt in far and near places.

To kick-start the celebration, the forum of his advisers took time out to visit the correctional centre to donate relief and support materials.

In the evening, it was a gathering of who’s who. From politicians, theatre art practitioners and business moguls, turning 44 was indeed a turning point for Tunji-Ojo, with promises that there is more fuel in his tank.