Tag: border security

Nigeria has been re-elected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) for the sixth consecutive term following its outstanding performance and ongoing reforms in border security.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, led the Nigerian delegation to the PKD Board Meeting in Montreal, Canada, where the country secured the achievement.

Nigeria was praised for its achievements through consistent contributions, shared implementation experiences, and innovations in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), electronic Machine-Readable Travel Documents (eMRTD) verification, and digital identity harmonisation.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, some of these innovations earned Nigeria international accolades and recognition during the meeting.

Akinlabi explained in a statement issued in Abuja that Nigeria’s membership in the ICAO-PKD since 2009 played a pivotal role in shaping the directory’s strategic development and modernization.

“This re-election recognizes Nigeria’s technical expertise, compliance, and dedication to ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices, further solidifying its position among fifteen esteemed Board Members drawn from 107 participating states,” he said

Akinlabi further said the achievement reaffirmed the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, “particularly in fulfilling Nigeria’s international obligations and maintaining its active role within the global community.”

He said the NIS remained steadfast towards upholding the highest standards of border security, advancing digital identity initiatives, and safeguarding the integrity of travel documents issued to Nigerians and residents.

The Federal Government has obtained the proclamation of the regulations for the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

The government said the development would now enable the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to obtain passengers’ data and other vital information ahead of their visit to the country and screen them accordingly.

Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stated this at a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

He said: “Nigeria has struggled with this project since 2003. I am happy to inform you that we have it now. Obviously this will help in further securing our borders.

“With the recent development, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) now has the capacity to screen people objectively as the solution developed is linked with the Interpol 24/7 which enables them to know and query the database of travellers.

“Before people come into Nigeria now, we have the opportunity of knowing who they are, querying their database and of course the solution developed is linked with Interpol 24/7, so we have the capacity to screen people objectively.”

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The minister added that all e-gates installed at all international airports in the country are of UK standards, noting that the projects demonstrated the level of collaboration and faith that Nigeria has in the border control capability of United Kingdom.

“The e-gate screens in 24 seconds. This is the fastest that was seen. We are doing a lot in border control, we will still do more. We are building a solar band of 1 Mega Watt to be able to power all critical infrastructure of the NIS. We believe that by doing this, people will begin to have faith in Nigeria,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the ministry, Ozoya Imohimi, also alluded to the ongoing reforms in the Federal Fire Service, saying the government has invested massively in the Fire Academy in Abuja to achieve world class standard.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the need to address the problem of poor border security to be able to solve the general security crisis facing the nation.

Shettima, who stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), led by its Executive Secretary, Captain Junaid Abdullahi, at the State House, Abuja, also maintained the role of the agency in changing the nation’s security landscape.

He, however, pledged the federal government’s action to secure and develop Nigeria’s border communities to improve the lives of residents and the security situation in the country.

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According to a statement issued by senior special assistant to the president on media and communications, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted the challenges faced by these communities, including insecurity and lack of basic amenities.

Shettima said: “Most of the challenges we face stem from our poor border security, evident in the free flow of light weapons and ammunition across the borders. We need to address the role of the BCDA in changing the security landscape of our country.”

He stressed the importance of border communities in national security and pledged continued support for their development needs.

The vice president acknowledged the need for residents to feel a sense of belonging as Nigerians and assured of the government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and other essential services for the residents of these communities.

Shettima also urged the BCDA to develop a roadmap for strengthening the agency, highlighting the need for increased government funding.

The agency’s Executive Secretary, Captain Abdullahi, acknowledged the challenges of limited resources and expressed hope that under Shettima’s leadership, the agency would receive the necessary support to fulfill its mandate.

He said: “Our border communities feel alienated from the rest of the country because of neglect. If we can get development into our border communities, the pressure on the centre will be reduced. We would have reduced rural-urban migration and also addressed most of our security challenges.

“Under your chairmanship, we believe that following your antecedent as Governor of Borno State, we are sure you will give us the needed support to see that our agency is funded to carry out its mandate.”