President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Technology Innovation Complex at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Data Complex includes the Command and Control Centre for regular migration, the NIS Data Centre, the ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Centre, the Interior Data Centre, and a 0.5KW solar power facility.
In her opening remarks, Nandap stated that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will evaluate the risk levels of individuals entering the country, identify irregular migration trends, and oversee unmanned borders in remote regions across the nation.
She emphasized that these facilities are “setting the benchmark to use technology to secure our borders and ensure the security of the nation.”
Tinubu arrived at approximately 12:08 PM and was welcomed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, along with the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap.
Also present were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and various agency heads, among others.
Earlier, there were tight security measures at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja in anticipation of the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre.
Reports said that as of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, access to the premises was closely monitored, leading to the suspension of all passport renewal services for the day.
Nigerians with appointments for biometric capture were encouraged to reschedule, as NIS personnel responsible for this process were granted the day off.
Furthermore, banking services within the NIS facility were temporarily halted, with security personnel maintaining vigilant oversight of all movements in and out of the area.
The newly established Command and Control Centre is poised to transform border security and immigration operations.
It features advanced surveillance and monitoring technology designed to track the flow of passengers entering and leaving Nigeria’s airports.
This system is interconnected with all international airports across the nation, facilitating real-time data sharing regarding incoming travellers.
Such connectivity enables proactive identification and prevention of entry for high-risk individuals and persons of interest.
The Command Centre is a key component of a comprehensive reform initiative aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s immigration framework.
An essential aspect of this initiative is the implementation of electronic gates (e-gates) at key airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and international airports in Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Kano.
These e-gates are intended to expedite passenger processing, allowing for clearance in less than five minutes and reducing the necessity for direct interaction with immigration personnel.
The overarching aim is to enhance the efficiency and transparency of passenger processing at the country’s airports.
Recently, Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had successfully prevented 14 individuals of international concern from entering Nigeria.
He characterized this achievement as a significant milestone in the nation’s efforts to combat terrorism and cross-border crime, crediting it to the ongoing reforms in border management being led by the current administration.
