The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stated that he has resolved to “give his all to Nigeria” to ensure the country is well-secured, allowing Nigerians to sleep soundly.
Tunji-Ojo made this statement on Monday during the induction ceremony for 123 operational officers of the Border Command and Control Centre at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.
He warned the officers, who underwent rigorous training before their final selection, against any form of compromise. He emphasized that their duties are sensitive and require unwavering attention.
He said, “I have decided to give my all to Nigeria. The question is, are you ready to give your all to Nigeria? Don’t join this elite squad for ego. Join because you believe in Nigeria.”
Tunji-Ojo, noting that the NIS is key to the national security framework, urged the Service to prioritize migration management and border governance. He highlighted that the NIS should no longer see the auxiliary role of issuing travel documents as its core responsibility.
“You are not just a travel document-issuing agency. That is secondary. Your primary responsibility is to ensure that no individual of interest, or anyone unauthorized, enters Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister revealed that the installation of e-gates at Abuja and Lagos international airports has been completed, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon commission them alongside the Command and Control Centre to further strengthen the country’s border security.
He also disclosed that plans are underway to establish an Irregular Migration Command and Control Centre for thorough screening of individuals entering Nigeria via land borders.
At the airports, the new Advance Passenger Information (API) system will facilitate pre-profiling of incoming travelers.
“The ability of Nigerians to sleep soundly depends on you. Much of Nigeria’s security rests on your shoulders.
“With the new infrastructure and the Command and Control Centre, no one should enter Nigeria without pre-profiling,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo informed the officers that the government has invested in training, equipping, and providing them with the necessary tools to conduct objective, rather than subjective, screenings.
According to him, Nigeria’s geographical location, within both the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions, heightens its security needs, emphasizing the necessity of well-secured borders.
Comptroller General of NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, noted that the induction of command and control operational officers marks the beginning of a new era for the Service.
She reminded the inductees that they are the pioneer officers of this flagship project, with 123 officers selected after passing a rigorous initial training phase, including exams.
She explained that a total of 253 officers participated in the initial training, and those selected were chosen purely on merit.
“The next phase will include specialized training, focusing on data analysis, travel plan analysis, and specific skill sets, in collaboration with other agencies and facilitators.”
Nandap reiterated the NIS’s commitment to ongoing training and deployment of only competent officers to this unit, given its importance to national security.
She urged the officers to uphold the trust placed in them and avoid compromising their duties.
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