Tag: Immigration Service

Following the deployment of cutting-edge technologies at the nation’s airports and borders, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, said on Monday that the Service would strengthen its legal mechanism to address cyber-enabled crimes and smuggling of migrants.

Mrs Nandap said it had become imperative to back up the huge investments in cutting-edge technology deployed to Nigerian borders and airports with legal instruments that would speedily punish crimes and criminalities in migration management.

She made the remarks while declaring open the inaugural Nigeria Immigration Service Law Week Conference at the Headquarters of the Service in Abuja.

The Comptroller-General, who commended the Legal Department of the NIS for putting the programme together, described the theme of the conference as apt and timely, considering the ongoing reforms in the Service.

The NIS Legal Week had the theme: “Leveraging technology and strengthening Legal operational framework for a secure and efficient Immigration Service “.

The Comptroller-General assured that the NIS would continue to demonstrate professionalism, transparency, and accountability in its operations, while being guided by the rule of law and extant statutory provisions of law in the exercise of its mandate.

She said, “We must strengthen our legal operational framework to address emerging issues such as cyber-enabled crimes, smuggling of migrants, and trafficking in persons.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to combat these transnational crimes and ensure that our borders are secured. We will continue to build the capacity of our officers to investigate, prosecute, and prevent these crimes.”

Mrs Nandap, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in Charge of Human Resources Management, DCG Afolayan Ayeni, said the Legal Week would mark “the beginning of a new era of excellence and enhance professionalism in the agency.

“The Nigerian Immigration Service is committed to upholding the highest standard of professionalism, transparency, and accountability.

“Our goal is to ensure that we provide secure, efficient services to the public while protecting our borders. The Legal unit has a vital role in this endeavour,” Mrs Nandap said.

Read Also: Immigration Service rolls out enhanced passport tracking feature 

The Director of Legal Services in the NIS, Mrs Oluwatoyin Yusuf, said the programme was a significant milestone in the history of the Service, moreso as the theme speaks directly to the realities of time and the strategic positioning of the NIS.

She said, “The theme speaks directly to the realities of our time and the strategic position and mandate of the Service. We must continually adapt our legal and operational systems to match the pace of technological advancement and emerging global challenges.

“Our role as the Legal Services Unit is not only to interpret and apply the law, but also to ensure that innovation within the Service is firmly anchored on a sound legal framework that promotes efficiency, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

“It is therefore imperative that our officers are equipped with up-to-date technological knowledge, sound judgment, and unwavering legal and ethical standards. The Law Week, therefore, provides a valuable platform for reflection, learning, and professional engagement.”

Yusuf commended the Comptroller-General of the Service for her support and encouragement in approving the Legal Week for the first time in the Service, saying that it would allow the department to identify gaps, examine the existing framework, and explore avenues for best practices. 

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap has ordered personnel of the Service to launch a tactical response on bandits who attacked its personnel on the Bakin Ruwa check point, in Tuga border, Kebbi state. 

The attacks which claimed the lives of three personnel occurred on Thursday. 

Nandap, who regretted the incident, said it was a a violent and coordinated attack carried out by unidentified armed men.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Akinsola Akinlabi said “three gallant NIS personnel lost their lives in the line of duty. “

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“Several operational assets and facilities at the location were also destroyed,” he added. 

“The Service extends its heartfelt condolences and unwavering support to the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the fallen personel, honoring their selfless sacrifice and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s Borders. 

” The Comptroller General has ordered an immediate tactical response, deploying reinforcements to the affected formation, intensified joint operations with other security agencies, enhanced intelligence-gathering along the entire Tuga axis, and heightened patrols to deter further threats and restore full security control of the area.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains resolute in its mandate to securing the nation’s Borders and will not be deterred by acts of criminality. We urge the public to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies in their efforts to secure the Nation,” Akinlabi said.  

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Wednesday that it would begin nationwide enforcement against persons who overstayed in the country in violations of visa amnesty granted by the government. 

The expiration of the Federal Government’s three-month visa amnesty programme begins on October 1, 2025.

The crackdown targets foreign nationals who failed to regularise their immigration status during the grace period.

A statement by the spokesman of the NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi, warned that offenders would face fines, deportation, or lifetime entry bans.

“With the expiration of the amnesty period, effective October 1, 2025, enforcement actions will commence nationwide against foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa or violated their entry conditions,” Akinlabi said.

Read Also: Ondo immigration boss raises alarm over rising irregular migration among youths

The enforcement covers a wide category of foreigners, including those with expired Visa on Arrival (VoA), expired single- and multiple-entry short visit or business visas, as well as holders of expired Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit and Automated Cards (CERPAC).

According to the NIS, foreigners who have overstayed by less than three months risk removal, a $15 daily fine, or a two-year entry ban.

Those who have overstayed between three months and one year face removal, a $15 daily fine, or a five-year entry ban. Overstayers of one year and above face removal, a 10-year entry ban, or a permanent ban from Nigeria.

The Service said the measures are aimed at safeguarding national security and ensuring lawful migration.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to enforcing the law, protecting national interests, and promoting transparency and efficiency across all immigration processes,” Akinlabi said. 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed reports of  fast-track fees collection allegedly imposed on applicants for Nigerian passports in United Kingdom and some foreign countries. 

The Service said there was no iota of truth in the report more as some interest group accused the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of being behind the fees. 

The  NIS said in a statement by its spokesman, Kenneth Udo that there was nothing like fast track fees in the procurement of passports, let alone to link the Minister to it.

“The Service wishes to state categorically that, the Minister is only charged with supervisory roles and not involved in the operational aspect of issuing passports hence, the purported Passport ‘fast-track’ charges claim being insinuated is false and exists only in the imagination of the authors.

“Being the Service directly charged with the statutory responsibility of issuing Passports at home and abroad, the NIS can attest that the Official processing fees for the acquisition of Passport have been consistent without additional charges.

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 “Furthermore, the procurement processes have been faster and easier for all applicants. It will interest the public to note that the Interior Minister played a key role in facilitating the full automation of the passport processes being issued today with its attendant benefits to Nigerians, ” Udo said. 

Udo described the ”fast track fees” allegation as derogatory, false, and unfounded. He urged Nigerians to disregard it in its entirety.

” The Nigeria Immigration Service is using this opportunity to state categorically, for the umpteenth time, that the authorized fee for the procurement of Nigeria international passport in the United Kingdom is $150 for a five (5) validity period and $230 for a ten (10) year validity period passport not inclusive of bank charges. 

“The Service is committed to delivering quality service to the public in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration, ” Udo said. 

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are exploring ways to off set over N10 billion debt owed providers/vendors for printing of passports booklets. 

The situation, it was learnt, has led to shortage of the 32-page and 64-page passport booklets. 

It was gathered that within the past one year, not less than 105,000 e-passport booklets have been printed. 

They include 35,000 copies of 32-page and 70,000 copies of the 64-page passport booklets.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Nation Minister of Interior,  Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is spear-heading the government team while the Comptroller-General of the NIS,  Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap is heading the NIS team to address the challenges. 

It was learnt they have expressed concerns on the negative impact the huge debt would have on the ongoing reforms in passport applications and acquisition by Nigerians home and abroad. 

Dr Tunji-Ojo, on assumption of office, started reforms to make applications and acquisition seamless for Nigerians. 

He further ensured upgrading of facilities and commissioned more e-Passport offices within and outside the country. 

Over 200,000 backlogs of passports were cleared within three months. 

However, recent developments indicate that the problems are yet to be over as Nigerians continue to complain about delays in acquisition of their passports. 

While the NIS sources said the delays are due to shortage of booklets as a result of huge debts to printers and other service providers,  Nigerians who have had contacts with NIS personnel and the treatments meted them alleged sabotage from within the NIS. 

For instance, it took the intervention of the Minister for citizen Seun Akioye to obtain his passport from the NIS penultimate Friday. 

Akioye applied online for the renewal of his passports and fulfilled all the necessary conditions but three weeks after, he continued to receive different messages from personnel of the NIS. 

Becoming frustrated,  Akioye raised the issue on his Facebook page which was posted on the Minister’s platform for reporters. 

The development prompted the intervention of the Minister and Akioye, a former Assistant Editor of The Nation Newspaper, received his passport that same day. 

However, The Nation learnt that the huge debt hanging on the neck of the NIS may constitute a big obstacle to the reform in the application and acquisition processes of passports. 

But a source, who would not want his name mentioned, said the government has called for meetings of all stakeholders to address the challenges. 

The source said: “Yes, the government and the NIS have called for dialogue on the part of all critical stakeholders. The government promised to do something regarding bureaucratic bottleneck which has been responsible for delays in payments for services rendered. 

“There is another leg to the discussions. I think the Nigeria Customs Service and the Immigration Service are working in synergy as government institutions in other to address the challenges since both are expected to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. 

Read Also: Immigration Service clears 195,795 Passports backlogs

“I believe on the basis of the synergy, (payments or no payments) the booklets in the warehouses of the Nigeria Customs Service would be released to the NIS very soon. 

“I must however commend the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for his tenacity and strength of character. He has raised the bar for excellent and exemplary service for the NIS. The first time we had this challenge, only God knows how he navigated the systems and ensure that Service providers and other vendors in the Passport value chain got paid. 

“Of course I would not rule out the possibility of having the President’s ears or he enjoys his confidence. I also want to commend the vision and leadership of the NIS. It is heartwarming that they are leading the reforms. I just pray that the majority of the personnel would key into the on going changes. “