NIS elevates 13,977 officers and promises to address border security.

The Nigerian Immigration Service has unveiled intentions to use new technology advancements to improve migration management and border security in the nation.

In a renewed attempt to improve its operations, the NIS also revealed that it had promoted 13,977 personnel in total since 2024 began.

“We acknowledge the challenges of safeguarding our 4,047 km borders with Benin (773 km), Cameroun (1690 km), Chad (87 km), Niger (1497), and the Gulf of Guinea (853 km),” said Kemi Nandap, the Controller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, during his remarks at the 2024 annual General Conference of the NIS in Jos on Friday.

“Despite the many obstacles we have faced over the past year, we have made great strides because to our team’s perseverance and commitment.

“We’re glad to allow you to understand the continuous changes over the years, such as our most recent operational and administrative reforms that have a significant impact on the following areas: Interagency Synergy, Border Governance, Passport Administration and Control, Visa Regime, Infrastructure Development, ICT Deployment, ECOWAS Heads of Immigration Forum (collaboration), Staff Welfare, and Human Capital Development, which includes the promotion of 13,977 officers in 2024 alone.

“It is convenient for me to emphasize that, in the context of the NIS’s legislative responsibilities, we always seek to guarantee a fair balance between security and the facilitation of free movement.

“NIS is dedicated to addressing these challenges by utilizing technology, international collaboration, and capacity building.”

The head of NIS was hopeful that the conference would provide them another chance to rethink their approach and work together to take the NIS to higher levels.

Nigeria can only be safe, productive, and protective if its borders are secure, according to Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to Tunji-Ojo, global security is now proactive rather than reactive.

To properly safeguard the country’s borders, he urged cooperation and coordination between the Nigeria Immigration Service, Customs Service, and Border Community Development Agency.

The Minister stated, “The Immigration Service is an organization for rational thinkers, strategists, and innovators with the correct ideologies; thus, research into new ideas to keep abreast of happenings in the world.”

Caleb Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, also spoke, expressing worry about the border issues the state has had, with people from neighboring countries occasionally entering without the necessary inspections.

In the person of The Governor, Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the Government of the State, insisted that his administration was dedicated to encouraging more cooperation with the Nigeria Immigration Service and other stakeholders in order to guarantee that every issue that was discovered is resolved.

READ ALSO: Jose Castillejo, a former Valencia defender, was one of 158 people killed in Spain’s flash floods.

According to our correspondent, the annual conference with the theme “Enhancing Border Security and Migration Management in a Globalized World: Challenges and Opportunities for Nigeria” sought to identify new opportunities and challenges in immigration services and border governance as well as create long-term plans for reorienting the NIS to better serve both national security and economic interests.

We love to have you back, Kindly Subscribe to our NewLetter.