Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday received members of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum on a courtesy visit in Abuja, where the group praised what it described as his sustained support for the welfare of elders, particularly in Ondo State, and his approach to public service rooted in empathy and accountability.

The visit brought together senior community figures, political stakeholders and opinion leaders who used the engagement to reflect on governance, national leadership and the role of elders in Nigeria’s development. Speaking for the forum, its chairman, Erastus Akeju, said the minister’s engagement with the group had been consistent since its formation and had contributed to improving the wellbeing of its members.

Akeju said the support extended beyond symbolic gestures, citing regular financial and medical assistance as well as what he described as moral encouragement. He noted that the end-of-year support provided during the Christmas and New Year period had been particularly reassuring to many elders in Ondo State who, he said, had devoted their productive years to public service.

The forum’s secretary, Ebenezer Alabi, said the minister’s actions reflected a leadership style that recognises elders as contributors rather than dependants. According to him, consistent engagement with senior citizens had helped reinforce confidence in government and in the broader Renewed Hope Agenda.

Also speaking, the forum’s facilitator, Demola Ijabiyi, reaffirmed the group’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and said elders across Ondo State remained ready to mobilise their communities ahead of future electoral cycles. He described elders as influential opinion leaders whose voices continue to shape political participation at the grassroots.

Responding, Tunji-Ojo thanked the delegation and described elders as custodians of wisdom, institutional memory and moral authority. He said their experience remained an asset to society and stressed the importance of learning from those who had helped shape Nigeria’s institutions over decades. The minister assured the forum of his continued commitment to inclusive governance and to policies that prioritise service delivery.

He also underscored the need for collaboration between generations, noting that sustainable development requires a balance between the insight of elders and the energy of younger leaders. The visit concluded with prayers for the wellbeing of forum members, the success of the Tinubu administration and Nigeria’s continued progress.

The courtesy visit came hours after the minister carried out an unannounced inspection of a Nigerian Immigration Service passport office in Gwagwalada, Abuja. During the visit, Tunji-Ojo criticised delays in passport processing and warned against illegal charges, insisting that applicants must not pay any amount beyond officially approved fees.

He toured the VIP and children’s sections of the office and engaged directly with immigration officers and applicants, questioning why only a small number of people had been attended to several hours after opening time. The minister expressed concern that despite the designation of expedited services, applicants were still waiting, and reiterated that inefficiency and unauthorised charges would no longer be tolerated.