The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has renewed his Nigerian diplomatic passport and used the occasion to publicly commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what he described as visible reforms in Nigeria’s immigration system.

The monarch renewed his passport at the Nigerian Immigration Service headquarters, where he interacted with senior immigration officials and officers overseeing diplomatic documentation. Following the process, the Ooni praised improvements in efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery within the agency.

According to sources present at the renewal exercise, the Ooni described the process as seamless and significantly improved compared to previous years, noting that the reforms reflect a broader effort by the federal government to modernize public institutions.

Ooni Applauds Immigration Reforms

Speaking after the renewal, the Ooni of Ife acknowledged the role of President Tinubu’s administration in strengthening Nigeria’s immigration framework. He specifically highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at digitization, transparency, and improved passport issuance processes.

The traditional ruler stated that a functional immigration system is crucial not just for governance but also for Nigeria’s global image. He noted that diplomatic passports represent the country on international platforms and must be handled with credibility and efficiency.

The Ooni also commended officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service for their professionalism during the process, encouraging them to sustain the momentum and continue building public trust.

While addressing the importance of reforms, the monarch emphasized that strong institutions are essential for national development. He described the ongoing changes as a positive signal that Nigeria is repositioning itself administratively and diplomatically.

Officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service expressed appreciation for the monarch’s visit and remarks. They reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing federal government policies aimed at improving service delivery across all passport categories, including diplomatic and official travel documents.

An immigration source explained that recent reforms have focused on reducing processing delays, eliminating manual bottlenecks, and strengthening internal accountability. The source added that feedback from high profile citizens and traditional rulers is important in evaluating the success of these initiatives.

The renewal of the Ooni’s diplomatic passport also comes amid broader efforts by the federal government to sanitize travel documentation systems and align Nigeria’s immigration processes with international best practices.

News of the Ooni’s remarks sparked conversations online, with some Nigerians welcoming the endorsement as encouragement for ongoing reforms. Others, however, urged the government to ensure that improvements experienced at the diplomatic level also reflect in regular passport applications for everyday citizens.

Social media users noted that while high profile renewals often go smoothly, ordinary Nigerians still face challenges such as delays, technical issues, and congestion at passport offices. Several commentators called on the government to extend the same level of efficiency across all service categories.

The Ooni’s comments have nonetheless added to a growing list of public figures acknowledging improvements in certain government services under the current administration.

As a respected traditional ruler with strong cultural and diplomatic influence, the Ooni of Ife’s endorsement carries symbolic weight. His remarks reinforce the administration’s narrative of institutional reform while also keeping public attention on the need for consistency and nationwide impact.