The Nigerian government and the European Union have agreed to strengthen their partnership, focusing on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as peace, security, defense, and migration.
This was revealed when the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, visited the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his office in Abuja.
In his remarks, Tunji-Ojo stated that the Ministry of Interior is taking a multi-faceted approach to maintaining internal security in Nigeria, with a focus on identity management, border security, visa processing, and document authentication.
He added that the Ministry is decentralizing the identity management process to make it more accessible and efficient, particularly for people in rural areas.
The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Ozoya Imohimi, stated in a press release on Friday in Abuja that Tunji-Ojo further emphasized the Ministry’s progress in border security. He noted that 60% of the land border is now covered by the e-border solution, and efforts are ongoing to automate the remaining portion.
ALSO READ: Jigawa’s under-five mortality drops from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births — UNICEF
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry is introducing an e-visa system to streamline visa processing and make it more user-friendly, especially for short-stay visitors.
According to him, the system will allow applicants to apply for visas online and receive them via email, eliminating the need for physical visits to embassies or application centers.
Additionally, he stated that the Ministry is developing a Centralized Citizens Integrity and Document Authentication System (CCIDAS) to provide a single platform for verifying Nigerian documents. He assured that this initiative would help combat document fraud and facilitate the authentication of Nigerian documents by foreign nations.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, emphasized the need for Nigeria and the EU to strengthen their partnership for a brighter future. He highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in key areas such as peace, security, defense, and migration.
Ambassador Mignot stated that this commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between EU representatives and the President of Nigeria, where both parties underscored the significance of a strong and faithful partnership.
He assured that the European Union (EU) and Nigeria are committed to taking their collaboration to the next level.
“The EU recognizes Nigeria’s immense potential and is eager to build on the existing relationship to establish a more comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership,” Ambassador Mignot said.
He noted that, as the world evolves rapidly, both the EU and Nigeria recognize the need to collaborate in addressing common challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Key areas of cooperation include peace, security, and defense, with both parties committed to strengthening regional stability and resilience.
and then