In Ondo State, the most talked-about political future is currently anchored in a federal ministry in Abuja. Its architect is Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Popularly called BTO, Tunji-Ojo is Nigeria’s Minister of Interior. He is also the political force who delivered his Akoko North West constituency with an 81.2% vote for the APC in the 2024 governorship election, the highest in the state.
The man’s local imprint is broad. Recently, he approved the creation of Technology Hubs across all 18 Local Government Areas, all aiming to equip youths with digital skills, a clear pivot toward a tech-driven future.
His philanthropy is equally systematic. In January 2026, Tunji-Ojo launched an initiative providing learning materials to over 120,000 pupils. He also funds medical outreaches and has distributed aid across all 203 wards in the state.
As a former federal legislator, he facilitated road projects and donated infrastructure like transformers. Now, as a minister, his reforms—clearing a massive passport backlog, automating systems—have built a national reputation for efficiency.
This federal success fuels local speculation. Despite his focus on his ministerial role, many see him as a frontrunner for the state’s top job in the future. APC elders have already endorsed him to lead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in Ondo. After all, he was reportedly very instrumental to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s emergence in 2024.
Tunji-Ojo’s strategy appears dual-track: delivering visible development at home while building a record of transformative governance at the centre. This positions him as both a benefactor and a benchmark.
For now, the Interiors man holds a unique vantage point: shaping Nigeria’s present from Abuja while meticulously laying the groundwork for Ondo’s tomorrow. From this point, Tunji-Ojo is proving that the most potent political torch is one that illuminates both a local path and a national stage.
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