Deborah Hundenu
The Controller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nana Nandap, has made a clarion call for heightened professionalism, innovation, and integrity within the service, urging officers to embrace new challenges posed by technological advancements in border management.
During a working visit to the NIS Head Office in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, Nandap reinforced her commitment to ensuring Nigeria’s borders are more secure through the deployment of advanced e-border solutions while taking a firm stand against corruption.
In a series of meetings with prominent stakeholders, including the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and traditional rulers such as the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, Nandap reiterated the NIS’s vision for modernizing border security and bolstering national safety.
One of the major highlights of her visit was the inspection of the e-border project at the Ogun State command, where she emphasized that the era of relying solely on conventional methods of border surveillance was over.
Nandap stressed that officers must adapt to new realities in border management, driven by technology and real-time data analytics.
“Our service is undergoing significant changes, especially with the implementation of e-border solutions.
So far, over eighty border crossing points have been equipped with this technology, and we are preparing to cover even more,” Nandap stated.
The e-border system, according to Nandap, provides 24/7 real-time monitoring and intelligence.
“It allows us to know who is entering the country at any time and run various levels of security checks. This way, we can identify potential suspects and share intelligence with other agencies,” she explained.
Nandap further revealed plans to extend the e-border technology to both official and unmanned border areas, where illegal crossings and irregular migration have been rampant.
“With this technology, we aim to cover all of our 190 official crossing points, as well as the unmanned areas. Illegal activities will be closely monitored, and our officers will be equipped to respond swiftly to any threats,” she said.
In addition to strengthening border security, Nandap disclosed that the NIS is working towards enhancing inter-agency collaboration, ensuring that intelligence gathered from the e-border systems is shared with relevant authorities to combat cross-border crimes effectively.
During her address to NIS officers, Nandap was unequivocal about her stance on corruption. She declared that there would be zero tolerance for any actions that compromise the integrity of the service or tarnish its image.
“Corruption will not be condoned under my watch. Any behavior that affects the service negatively or undermines the trust of the public will be dealt with severely.
“Our officers must conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism and integrity,” she warned.
As part of the NIS’s efforts to ensure that officers are equipped to handle the new e-border systems, Nandap announced that intensive training programs are already underway.
She said officers from Ogun State and other parts of the country are participating in these training sessions, which are being conducted by both local and international experts.
“By the end of this year, our aim is to ensure that no officer is left untrained because competency is the hallmark of excellence,” Nandap stated, highlighting the importance of continuous capacity building for the success of the new initiatives.
She urged the selected officers to view this opportunity as a chance to serve their country with pride and dedication, emphasizing that their role in securing Nigeria’s borders is crucial to national security.
Recognizing the demanding nature of border management, Nandap reassured officers that the NIS is committed to creating a conducive work environment.
She acknowledged that the work they do is challenging but emphasized that the new technologies being introduced would not only make their jobs easier but also enhance their efficiency.
“We are aware of the difficulties involved in securing our borders, but with the deployment of advanced technologies, we are putting our officers in a better position to succeed.
“We are also committed to improving their working conditions to ensure they can perform at their best,” Nandap said.
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