The Federal Ministry of the Interior is a Ministry of the Federal Government of Nigeria tasked with providing complementary internal security and other ancillary services within Nigeria. The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Interior, a cabinet-level head who reports directly to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The current minister of interior is Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
History
The concern to maintain internal security gave rise to the creation of the federal ministry of internal affairs in 1957.[1] In 2007, the Ministry of Internal Affairs merged with the Ministry of Police Affairs, resulting in the Ministry of the Interior.
Agencies
The Ministry exercises supervisory control over the following Security Agencies, namely:
The Civil Defence, Immigration, Prisons, Fire Service Board (CDFIPB)
Functions
The Ministry formulates and implements policies related to border management and supervises the National Immigration Service.[2] Its other functions include:
Granting of Nigerian citizenship
Consular and immigration services
Granting of business permits and expatriate quotas
Co-ordination of national and independence day celebrations
Reformation and re-integration of inmates
Security of lives and properties
Management of National emergencies;
Recruitment of officers and men of the Correctional Service, Immigration Service, Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
Managing the retirement benefits of retirees of paramilitary Services under its supervision.
