President Bola Ahmed Tinubu speaks at the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja.
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President Tinubu Pledges Technology-Driven Security, Economic Overhaul 

Temitope Mustapha, Abuja

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says Nigeria is harnessing technology for better security and economic reforms.

The President stated this on Tuesday during the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja.

President Tinubu also affirmed that Nigeria, with its leadership status in Africa, must embrace technology, innovation, and knowledge-based opportunities to drive a renewed process that will benefit all citizens.

The Nigerian Leader expressed optimism on the rejig of Nigeria’s immigration service, he added that re-prioritising air travel will benefit the nation tremendously and provide greater economic opportunities.

“We at this stage with over 200 million people and a leader in Africa must embrace technology changes, innovation, and knowledge-based opportunities to drive a process that is greater for the generality and a vast number of people.

“We believe that if we rejig our immigration and air travel, we will benefit tremendously from economic opportunities it offers, ease of entry and exit,” he said.

The President described the integration of air, land and water security outfits in the innovation data platform as a fulfilment of a dream.

“From the beginning of our administration, we promise to deliver and execute Innovative solutions across the government including the Nigerian Immigration Service.

“The integration of the security whether air, land or sea embarked upon by the Minister of Interior is a fulfilment of a dream.

“In only two locations of the world we acknowledged the passport as more of a security document than a travelling document and must be treated as such and that is what we are doing right now, given the position of the country as leaders in Africa I am proud to see the service taking it true place as a security outfit.

“I could see everything working together for the benefit of the country. With the Nigerian Visa Approval Centre, the country will provide a one-stop shop for visa applications,” he said.

President Tinubu assured that with the Nigerian Visa Approval Centre, citizens Nigerians and all visitors can now travel with ease and do business partnerships with ease.

“Thank God today we achieve that and we are making tremendous progress,” the President added.

Furthermore, the Nigerian leader advocated for the repositioning of immigration services and air travel reforms in Africa, he said this would enable the continent to realise inclusive economic growth.

BATTIC Data Centre

Speaking on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Data Centre, President Tinubu tasked the facility to provide a sustained communication architecture that will link relevant agencies with a collaborative technology-trusted network.

Also Read: President Tinubu Commissions Solar Powered Data Technology Complex

“This state-of-the-art facility comprises seven key components including a data centre, command and control centre, visa and approval centre, Ecowas card centre, and the solar farm and the passport personalisation centre.

“It is my singular honour to commission the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Innovation Complex to look forward to feeling its great impact and economic impact and National security.

“We look forward to feeling its great impact and economic benefits and National security rewards.”

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, in his remarks, recalled that the Immigration Data Centre project had lingered for 18 years under successive administration but became a success with President Tinubu’s support and a strong political will.

Ojo said that Nigeria had practised a visa regime that failed passengers pre-profiling, he confirmed that with the advent of the BATTIC Data capacity, Nigeria’s visa system now passes through automated processes.

Additionally, the minister added that the Nigerian correctional management information system has also been further enhanced and developed with full integration into the Nigeria Immigration data system.

“This project started 18 years ago and failed under past administrations, we can recall a visa regime that was not pre-profiling passengers with the new facility Nigeria visa regime now passes through automated processes.

“The BATTIC, the correctional management information management system has been developed and fully integrated into the system this is inclusive of the e-gate at the airports,” the minister stated.

Ojo also disclosed that the solar farm has a battery capacity of 4.2mega watts, inculcating end-to-end integrated solutions.

He assured us that the solar farm is 100 per cent ready to power the entire facility.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the International Air Transport Association and The International Civil Aviation Organisation, Dr. Samson Fatokun, said the data facility marks a new era. He said it now serves as a blueprint for other countries in Africa and across the globe.

“This, milestone, marks a new era, and it is a big one. Seeing Nigeria, with such an exceptional command and control centre, which for us in the international community, is a lighthouse that we serve as a blueprint for other countries in Africa, and why not across the globe, from our position as International Air Transport Association headquarters in Montreal, Canada and in Nigeria, the Nigerian passenger information unit stands as one of the best among the best in the world, congratulations to Nigeria.”

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