Tech World

Nigerian Leader Celebrates Immigration Service Success in Global Security

Temitope Mustapha, Abuja

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for its cutting-edge, data-driven Passenger Surveillance Centre, which has already facilitated the arrest of 10 individuals on the Interpol watchlist within its first week of operation.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the NIS headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, President Tinubu lauded the innovative centre for its potential to revolutionise border security and passenger monitoring.

Read Also: President Tinubu Pledges Technology-Driven Security, Economic Overhaul 

He highlighted the centre’s capacity to profile high-risk passengers, detect suspicious travel patterns, enhance video surveillance across critical areas, particularly border zones, and cross-reference data with international organisations.

The data complex comprising a Command and Control and NIS data centre also has the ECOWAS Biometric Card production centre, all located within the headquarters of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Abuja.

According to President Tinubu, “This project embarked upon by you is a great accomplishment, as this state-of-the-art complex will help Nigeria harness technology to drive development.” 

The Nigerian leader further hinted that by the year 2025, Nigeria would have achieved a 100 percent new passport regime.

“We acknowledge the passport is more of a security document than a travelling document and must be treated as such, so you, I quote you, and that’s what we are doing here today. 

“What you have achieved has given this country a great reputation not just within ECOWAS, but amongst other comity of nations.” 

The BATTIC Centre 

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, at the commissioning, disclosed that the centre is certified by relevant international organisations, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

She said this is to enable it to play a strong role in Nigeria’s efforts to manage immigration activities to ensure that the country becomes a leader in the efficient management of passenger migration data.

The Centre will also store passport data, monitor migration patterns, and secure border crossings, entry, and exit.

It will also enhance the monitoring of regular and irregular migration flows.

The development of data infrastructure will help Nigeria’s security management, with a digitally empowered future, secure our borders, and enhance the efficient management of passengers by the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation, in his goodwill message, said the project is a perfect example of what can be achieved with good inter-ministerial cooperation.

Keyamo noted that the project, which was earlier initiated about 18 years ago by previous governments, could not take off due to inter-ministerial conflicts.

“Before a flight arrives in this country, we already have all the data of the passengers on board, and we can screen for security purposes without actually involving the passengers.” 

Keyamo, who also noted that the data command centre has been approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), said it will help the nation in the management of passenger safety.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her testimony, described the project as a game changer for Nigerians in the Diaspora, as many of them have begun to testify and commend the Tinubu administration for the innovation that has made travelling easier for them.

 

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