The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Kemi Nandap has extoled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to institutional reforms and national security in the country.”
The Comptroller General gave the commendation at the decoration of 46 comptrollers of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja.
Nandap said the ongoing transformation within the Service is driven by the administration’s resolve to strengthen security institutions and also acknowledged the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for providing strategic direction, diligent oversight, and resolute dedication to strengthening their operational capacities.
She charged the newly decorated officers who were promoted to the rank of Comptroller to demonstrate heightened vigilance and uncompromising professionalism in the face of security challenges.
Nandap reminded them that promotion in a disciplined Service is neither automatic nor solely a function of years in service saying that advancement is earned through sustained dedication, professional, competences, integrity and unwavering commitment to duty.
Welcoming dignitaries and families of the newly elevated officers, the Immigration chief said the presence of stakeholders underscored the collective support that sustains the men and women of the service.
She told the officers that their decoration symbolised the trust reposed in them and signaled an expectation of “enhanced leadership, sound judgment, accountability, and exemplary conduct,” adding that their roles at senior levels require clarity of vision, decisiveness, empathy, and the ability to mentor and inspire.
“At this advanced stage of your careers, professional competence must be matched with strong leadership attributes, Considering the current security challenges our nation faces, we must remain vigilant and unrelenting in the fight against multifaceted threats. Your actions will set the tone, and your conduct will continue to reflect the core values and reputation of this service,” Nandap emphasised.
The Comptroller reaffirmed that the NIS would not tolerate any form of indolence or unprofessional conduct, urging officers to embrace innovation, adapt to emerging challenges, and always place the interest of the Service above personal considerations.
While congratulating the newly promoted personnel, she acknowledged the sacrifice of their families. “Their patience, encouragement, and understanding have been instrumental to your professional journey,” she declared, inviting applause for them.
She encouraged those not promoted to remain steadfast, saying, “There is a time for everyone. Keep working hard, and your time will come.”
Nandap also highlighted ongoing reforms in the Service, including upgrades in visa and passport processes, contactless solutions, the newly introduced EMBIC system, and the forthcoming STEP initiative—a biometric-based Single Travel Emergency Passport expected to replace the Emergency Travel Certificate in 2026.
“We cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball,” she said. “This administration is focused on reforms and transformation, and you are the drivers of these reforms,”she remarked.
In his remarks, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Human Resources Management, Afolayan Ayeni, recalled that the Minister of Interior had, on assumption of office, prioritized prompt promotion of personnel—an effort now yielding dividends.
Of the 46 officers promoted from Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) to Comptroller of Immigration (CI), one passed away before the release of the results, while seven had already retired.
One of the newly promoted officers was the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Mr. Akinsola Akinlabi.
The ceremony ended with assurances from the NIS leadership that the Service remains committed to strengthening its operational efficiency as Nigeria prepares for a more reform-driven 2026.