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Tag: Nigeria Immigration Service

  • Tinubu’s reforms yielding results in Immigration, Correctional Service, others, says Minister

    Tinubu’s reforms yielding results in Immigration, Correctional Service, others, says Minister

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Tuesday said the reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to change the narratives of para-military institutions in the country are yielding the desired results. 

    According to the Minister, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Fire Service, (FFS) have proven their mettle in national security architecture and framework for the country.

     Dr Tunji-Ojo said the reforms initiated by the present administration enabled the agencies to play significant roles in combating banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructures, providing security for farmers and miners to boost food security and improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, (GDP)

    The Minister noted that through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, sophisticated technology infrastructures are also being deployed for border control, security and management, while reforms in Passports policy have been standardised to meet international best practices. 

    “We should be proud that we are Nigerians because we now carry the best quality of International Passports. Gone are the days when you are asked to step aside at Airports for verification and validation of Passports, what we have now are of best standards as acknowledged by international certification bodies. The Passport regime of the present administration is a top-notch. 

    “Besides, the technology infrastructures that the present administration has deployed in our airports to ensure seamless movements of passengers are unimpeachable, especially within the past one year,” Tunji-Ojo said.  

    Tunji-Ojo made the remarks at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja while addressing newsmen on the achievements of his Ministry based on the performance contract signed by agencies and departments in his Ministry in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. 

    The briefing was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani,

     Comptroller-General of NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, the acting Controller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakwuche and the Commandant-General of FFS, Engr Abdulganiyu Olola Jaji. 

    Tunji-Ojo said his Ministry also generated over 6.3 billion naira revenues to coffers of the government from applications for expatriate quotas, Marriages, citizenship and issues relating to worship, while over 53,000 personnel have been promoted in the para-military Services within the past two years. 

    “As we speak, there is no backlogs of promotion in all the para-military Services. We have cleared all. In terms of recruitment, over 10, 000 Nigerians were recruited into the Civil Defence Corps and Federal Fire Service in 2023 and 2024, ” Tunji-Ojo said. 

    The Minister said government decided to unify Visa approval Centre in order to reduce sharp practices and ensure sanctity, and security of the systems. 

    He said in 2023 over 1.8 million Passports were produced and sold out, noting that the deployment of contactless Passport solutions would move to European countries by February 2025.

    He said Nigeria would soon complete its personalised Passport Centres in Lagos and Abuja, adding that Nigerians in diaspora would enjoy personalised Passport Services in 21 countries of Kenya, South Africa, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Houston in USA, Jamaica, Turkey, Isreal, Saudi Arabia, UAE, among others by February 1.

    Tunji Ojo said the first Phase of deployment of e-border solutions and e-gates has been completed covering over 40 percent of the project, while the second phase would begin in earnest. 

    He added that the e-gates in Lagos and Abuja are now functioning seamlessly, while the ones in Portharcourt, Kano, and Enugu would soon begin operations.

    Speaking on the reforms in the NCoS, the Minister said rehabilitation and renovation works are currently on going in some of the 256 Correctional facilities, noting that Correctional facilities like the Ikoyi Centre would be relocated because of urbanisation.

    Read Also: Tinubu to unveil dynamic energy initiative in Tanzania

    He said President Tinubu approved the upward review of daily feeding for inmates from 750 naira to 1125 beginning from this year, adding that about 3113 inmates have been trained in capentry, fish farming, and baking of bread and cake while over 50 inmates are currently undergoing academic studies in the National Open University of Nigeria.

    On the achievements of the NSCDC , Dr Tunji Ojo said about 1667 persons were arrested by Special Intelligence Squad in relation to oil theft and bunkering, while 78 trucks were impounded.

    He said the Corps successfully prosecuted 31 cases, while 34 were on going while 1069 illegal refineries were destroyed as well as 263 dump sites. The Mining Marshals, he said, also arrested 307 persons for illegal mining activities, while 133 cases were prosecuted and 215 cases are still pending in courts.

    The Minister announced that there is on going collaboration between the NSCDC and the Ministry of Power to address challenges of vandalisation of power assets, while the Corps also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to protect telecom infrastructures.

  • Ensure passport issuance within six weeks, court orders Interior minister, NIS

    Ensure passport issuance within six weeks, court orders Interior minister, NIS

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to always ensure that applicants who meet all the requirements to get international passports get them within six weeks.

    The court said this delivery period is achievable because it is in line with Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015.

    Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order in a judgment he delivered on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by an aggrieved Nigerian, Benita Ngozi Ezumezu against the NIS and the minister – listed as respondents.

    Ezumezu claimed to have applied for Nigeria’s international passport and met all the requirements as at October 6, 2022, but claimed that the NIS failed to issue her the passport, 14 weeks after submitting her application.

    Read Also: Contactless passport application as game changer

    In the judgment delivered on December 4, Justice Nwite rejected the respondents’ arguments, upheld the applicant’s claims and granted all the reliefs the applicant sought.

    Justice Nwite, who awarded N3 million damages against the respondents and in favour of the applicant, declared that as at October 6, 2022, Ezumezu had fulfilled all the requirements and was qualified to be issued passport within six weeks.

    The judge also declared that the respondents’ failure to issue the applicant an international passport, 14 weeks after meeting all requirements, violated Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015 and the applicant’s right to freedom of movement.

    He issued an order “directing the first respondent (NIS) to issue the applicant (Ezumezu) passport forthwith, as stipulated in Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015”.

  • Border security and its technological evolution: Dissecting gains of NIS 2024 Comptroller-General Conference

    Border security and its technological evolution: Dissecting gains of NIS 2024 Comptroller-General Conference

    By Israel Fagbemigun

    One thing that has become synonymous with the Nigeria Immigration Service is its commitment to consistently assess its own operations and performances. It has by so doing sustained its continuity and timely reinstatement after any hiatus. Through well-timed retreats, seminars, and conferences, once in a while punctuated by various challenges, each leader of the agency has taken such introspective exercises a notch higher and targeted greater outcomes.

    It is that tradition that the current leadership, under CGI Kemi Nanna Nandap, has made it mandatory to review, recalibrate, and reconfigure the operations of the agencies under the supervising minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and in line with the well-reasoned policy direction of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    That must have been the reason the current Comptroller-General restarted the Comptroller General’s Conference, after a short lull, and beamed the searchlight on the pressing importance of border security in an era of rapid technological advancements.

    Her goal, it became apparent, is to keep these stock-taking initiatives active and impactful. It was not just about the conference but about putting its recommendations to use for more efficiency and effectiveness. The resolutions arrived at attest to the NIS’s commitment to evolving with the times, not merely to react to threats but to anticipate them.

    Central to the conference outcomes was the agency’s push to harness cutting-edge technology, a move that positions the NIS as a forward-thinking player in the nation’s security framework.

    By prioritizing automated visa issuance and passport processing, the service aims to streamline migration management—a necessary modernization given the scale of cross-border movements. Beyond the practical benefits, such measures are a proactive response to rising cyber threats and the shifting nature of global migration. These technological advancements send a clear message: Nigeria is ready to manage the complexities of modern migration with efficiency and foresight.

    In the global context, Nigeria’s efforts resonate with international initiatives to enhance border security through technology. The United States, for instance, has implemented advanced cargo scanners, surveillance technologies, and biometric identification devices. Similarly, the European Union is exploring swarm intelligence algorithms and data processing for networked self-flying drones.

    These and many more the NIS is focused on replicating and improving upon.

    Read Also: Shettima pays tribute to late FEDECO chief, Kurfi, ex-NIA boss, Zakari

    The most recent NIS conference also highlighted more. It made a commitment to aligning NIS operations with Nigeria’s economic ambitions. By tailoring policies to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and boost tourism, the NIS is not only enhancing national security but also supporting the nation’s economic growth.

    This alignment is no small achievement; it requires the NIS to balance strict border protocols with a welcoming environment for legitimate travelers and investors. Such an approach exemplifies the agency’s understanding of its dual role in safeguarding national interests while fueling economic opportunities.

    Yet, the NIS is refocusing on the well-being and professionalism of the immigration workforce. Aware of the sacrifices and challenges faced by its officers, the NIS is actively working to cultivate a motivated and disciplined team, essential to its mission.

    To give vent to this, the recent conference highlighted plans for better health insurance, pension packages for retirees, and sustained professional development. The rationale behind this planned emphasis is acknowledging that a well-supported staff is the backbone of any successful security initiative.

    What became obvious from the 2024 Comptroller-General’s Conference organised under the leadership of CGI Kemi Nanna Nandap is that a new intent has been declared outside the reaffirmation of the mission of the service.

    The resolutions distilled for immediate actions reflect a service ready to adapt, innovate, and collaborate in a world where borders are increasingly both physical and digital. This cannot just be policy enunciation alone, it should be a path to a secure and prosperous future of the NIS.

    This year’s edition of the annual Comptroller-General’s Conference could therefore be rightly said to be a strategic pivot for the Nigeria Immigration Service in an era where globalization both opens doors and blurs borders.

    It is an effort to recalibrate so that the over 4,000 kilometers of land and coastal frontiers that make up Nigeria could be safeguarded, through innovation, collaboration, and resilience.

    •Fagbemigun is an Abuja-based multimedia journalist.

  • Immigration places ex-Gov Yahaya Bello on watch list

    Immigration places ex-Gov Yahaya Bello on watch list

    The Nigeria Immigration Service has placed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello on watch list.

    The NIS called for Bello‘s arrest at any point of exit or entry into the country by security agencies.

    In a letter by an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, D S Umar on behalf of the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Service said Bello was facing trial in the Federal High Court Abuja on money laundering charges.

    Read Also: Chrisland: Court to rule on admissibility of evidence May 2

    The letter which was addressed to the Director General of DSS, NIA and the Inspector General of Police, urged the security agencies to arrest Bello at any point of entry or exit into the country.

  • Huge number of irregular migrants in Nigeria — Immigration boss

    FOLLOWING the ongoing e-registration of migrants in major parts of the country, the Comptroller-General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede on Friday revealed that the country has a large number of irregular migrants.

    The e-registration of migrants, Babandede said, would help improve Nigeria’s national security.

    He said that the registration was part of the service’s statutory responsibilities prescribed by the Immigration Regulation 2017.

    Babandede, who disclosed this while updating reporters in Abuja on the ongoing registration process, said: “In Abuja alone, 2, 175 migrants have registered. Majority of those who registered are staying irregularly. It means if they are wanted by security operatives, we can trace them. Out of the 2, 175, we have noted that 1, 194 are staying irregularly. It is good that we have captured them. Only 981 “For Ogun State, it is more interesting. They started capturing a few days ago. They have captured 433 migrants. Out of them, 401 are irregular migrants. So they will be regularized and it is a good thing for our national security.

    “When we complete the e-registration of migrants, we will forward to NIMS to create a special number for them.”

    He further said: “There have been a lot of misconceptions that the amnesty is to enable foreigners to be citizens of Nigeria. It is not true. Citizenship is entirely a constitutional matter. You cannot be a citizen of Nigeria by amnesty. The amnesty only covers those who are in Nigeria, if and when given by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also: New e-passport valid for all countries – NIS

    “It simply means that if you come to the airport today or our land border and you know that you are going to stay more than 90 days, before the 90 days, you are expected to register. You can also register after the 90 days. If you don’t, you have committed an offence.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on July 12 inaugurated the Migrant e-Registration and Data Processing Centres at NIS Headquarters in Abuja.

     

  • ‘New international passport integrated with national identity number’

    COMPTROLLER General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, has warned personnel against corruption and sharp practices associated with issuance of international passports, resident permits and other documents issued by the immigration service, saying the security featured biometric passport to be rolled out next week will be synchronized with the National Identity Number (NIN) given by the National Identity Management Company (NIMC). He added that names which do not bear same identity with the applicants’ NIN will not be processed henceforth.

    Besides synchronizing the new passport with the NIN, he said the service has also integrated the new passport with the Bank Verification Number (BVN). Babandede disclosed this on Saturday while addressing Officers and Men of NIS formations under Zone A, Lagos, during an interactive session with them. He charged them to avoid aiding and abetting service seekers in the procurement of breeder documents for NIS facilities; noting that doing so is culpable by the Immigration Act 2015.

    Babandede also called on Officers and Men to comply with the Executive Order 01 on Transparency and Ease of Doing Business, stating that NIS as an elite Service must contribute its quota to the economic development of the country through facilitation of corrupt-free atmosphere for Direct Foreign Investment   (DFI). He further stated that Officers must change their attitude towards service delivery saying they must imbibe the principle of “Host-man-ship” which enjoins service providers to treat customers as their guests.

    He encouraged Officers and Men to take advantage of facilities provided by the Service to build their capacity especially on ICT because the Service will soon start conducting e-base Promotion Exercise.

     

  • Scarcity of passport booklets hits immigration headquarters

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is experiencing shortage of passport booklets, it was learnt on Thursday.

    A woman, who spoke to The Nation under anonymity, complained she was at the NIS headquarters in Abuja but told at the passport operating unit only limited passports were available.

    She was also told that the limited ones are meant for the Very Important Personalities (VIP).

    She said: “It was surprising that I got to the NIS headquarters in Abuja and I was referred to Gwagwalada passport office or Kaduna State to purchase a passport booklet.

    READ ALSO: ‘Big men’ must go through security checks at airports, Immigration boss declares

    “One of the officers told me that the passport booklet is limited and the one available are for the VIPs.

    “I was disturbed because I needed it to travel urgently. I do not know that the passport booklets are scarce. I am disturbed.”

    It would be recalled that scarcity of passport booklets was experienced early last year due to production problem.

    All efforts to speak with the NIS spokesman, Sunday James were futile.

    He neither picked his calls nor replied to text message sent to him.

  • Court orders Nigeria Immigration Service to pay ex-staff N9.7M in 60 days

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service, to pay an ex-staff, Oguntoyinbo Made N9.7 million in salary arrears within 30 days.

    The salary as ordered by the court, was for July 1, 1999 to Aug.31,2014.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Made was employed by the Service, on Nov. 1, 1993 as an Inspector of Immigration on Conpass 07.

    Made had approached the court to seek redress after he was removed from the service as a result of a retrenchment exercise in April, 1999.

    Although he was reabsorbed back into the service in 2003, he was not part of the day to day activities and promotion exercises of the service.

    However, by the judgment of the same court in June, 2014, the defendant was ordered to recognise the claimant as its staff.

    Following the directive of the court, the claimant was again reabsorbed, but the never paid the claimant’s salary arrears from July, 1999 to Aug.31,2014, as recommended by its legal department.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Rakiya Haastrup held that the crux of the claimant’s case was that he was denied promotion several times by the defendant and when he was eventually allowed to participate in 2015, his result was never released.

    She said “from the evidence before the court via Exhibit CWM7, which contained the legal advice from the legal department of the defendant, it admitted an error in the removal of the claimant from service in 1999.

    ” Furthermore, it is clear from the Exhibit that there were directives from the Comptroller General for reinstatement of the claimant” the judge said.

    She further added that reinstatement simply involved a revocation of the act of dismissal and restoration of payment of wages for the intervening period.

    Haastrup equally said an employee as claimant in this case, upon reinstatement was entitled to be paid all his arrears of salary including fringe benefits up to the point of reinstatement and thereafter as and when due and payable.

    The judge averred that ” the claimant has proved his entitlement to the sum claimed, as computed by the defendant in Exhibit CWM8, totaling the sum of N9.705 million.

    “I am of the view that the claimant has been able to prove his case, I hold therefore that the defendant is liable to pay the claimant the aforementioned sum.

    “ I hold that the claimant has succeeded in all his reliefs in this suit against the defendant and all the issues are also resolved in the favour of the claimant,” she added.

    She also declared that the exemption of the claimant from promotion exercises from 1993 till date was an unfair labour practice, discriminatory, unconstitutional and illegal.

    Read Also: Court orders service of processes on Magu over detention of lawyer, ex-Senator

    Haastrup further ordered that the defendant should immediately release the claimant’s result in the 2015 promotion exercises and align the claimant’s rank to that of Comptroller of Immigration ( CIS), as his contemporaries who joined the service the same time with the claimant.

    The judge in addition ordered the defendant to pay the claimant the sum of N2million as general damages and awarded the sum of N250,000 to the claimant, as cost of prosecuting the suit.

    She concluded by saying that the judgment should be complied within 60 days adding that failure to comply would attract 21 per cent interest on the judgment sums.

    Joined in the suit as a co-defendant were Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Services Board and the Comptroller General of NIS.

  • ‘Big men’ must go through security checks at airports, Immigration boss declares

    The Comptroller General (CG) Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede on Tuesday lamented many politicians pass through borders without security checks by immigration officers.

    Muhammad, who expressed sadness over the development, cautioned those involved in the act to desist or face the law.

    He spoke in Abuja at the official decoration ceremony of 14 newly promoted Assistant Comptroller’s General (ASG’s).

    The immigration boss also vowed to deal with any immigration officer who assists any politician to avoid security checks.

    Muhammad advised the promoted ACG’s to ensure that they offer serious supervision, especially at the borders and Airports and ensure that the rule of law is adhered to.

    His words: “In recent time, some politicians and big men think they can pass through borders without passing through immigration officers.

    “It is an offence under the Act, we are committed. You are liable to punishment regardless of whoever you are.

    “You and the officer involved will be prosecuted because officers don’t have immunity because it is a law that a person must present himself and pass through immigration.

    “Even if an aircraft does an emergency landing and lands in a place other than recognised spot, let’s say an aircraft mistakenly lands in Illorin because of emergency it is the duty of the captain of the aircraft and the passengers to wait to be cleared by immigration officers, if you enter it is an offence.”

    He added: “Talk less of you come to Aminu Kano Airport, or Murtala Muhammed Airport or Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport and then work together with officers and cross the border without presenting yourself when departing or entering Nigeria it is an offence.

    “We will punish such persons. The last warming I want to give you and ensure you supervise very well is the issue of travel documents. We find out that Immigration officers are becoming brokers.

    “We cannot allow that, you cannot be a regulator and a broker at the same time it’s not possible.

    “For the avoidance of doubt we have an officer who is being prosecuted somebody came to get a passport the person said he lost his passport that officer was the one who got an affidavit for him, went to court together with the person.

    “All persons who lied and declared their passports missing we have started arresting, in the last few months we have arrested as many as 15.

    “If you lose your passport and later find it, return it to Immigration to cancel it. Any passport lost and you decide to use it at the border we will arrest you and prosecute you for false declaration.”

  • Dokpesi in face-off with Immigration over passport

    Media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, is having a face-off with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) over alleged moves by the NIS to impound his Nigerian Passport.

    Dokpesi, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, narrated how he has been subjected to harassment and intimidation by the NIS since his arrival from Dubai where he had gone for medical treatment.

    According to him, his ordeal started at the Abuja Airport, shortly after arrival on Friday when where some NIS officials “arrested and detained” him for about 55 minutes for no just cause.

    “I was told that they have instructions from above to arrest me on my return but after a few phone calls and contacts, the Immigration officer at the Airport told me that he had instructions from above that I could leave and he gave me back my passport and told me that I should go and that they will reach me subsequently,” he said.

    Dokpesi, who is facing trial over alleged N2.1 billion arms deal scam, said with the leave of the Federal High Court, he retrieved his passport from the Court Registrar through a judicial process to enable him travel for treatment.

    According to him, he returned the passport to the court on Monday, in line with the condition upon which the document was released to him by the court. The court had seized his passport in the course of the trial.

    Chief Dokpesi, however, said the NIS invited him to the headquarters on Thursday and was taken to the Interrogation Room of the Comptroller General where he was grilled for about two hours.

    On what transpired during his interrogation, Dokpesi said: “They asked for my passport and I replied that I have since returned it to the Federal High Court and I availed them documents showing the court had acknowledged receiving the passport from me.

    “But the officers who interrogated me said that they had expected me to go back to the Federal High Court and get back the passport with the letter of invitation they (NIS) sent to me. But I told them that I totally defer from that line of thought.

    “I told them that if they had instruction from above requiring my passport, then they should write directly to the Federal High Court and request for the passport.

    “They were telling me that the passport was a property of the Federal Government and that the Federal Government has a right to withdraw it at any time.

    “But I am also a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and there is a judicial process, there is a rule of law. Why should we not go through the judicial process and be able to define what is required”.

    Read also: Alleged N2.1b fraud: You have case to answer, court tells Dokpesi

    The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Mr. Sunday James confirmed that the Service indeed invited Chief Dokpesi for “official related issues” but declined to give details.

    James said: “Mr. Dokpesi is a high-profile individual so until we are able to finish the issues we are looking at, we can’t disclose them. Immigration is just doing its official assignment and when it is due for the public to know the outcome, they will know”.

    The NIS spokesman however said the Service would not act in any way as to undermine the human rights of any citizen neither will it undermine the standard of practice.

    He however said the NIS would invite Chief Dokpesi for interrogation again if there was need to do so.