NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE FLAGS OFF 2025 ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS WEEK

The Nigeria Immigration Service, through its Migration Directorate, has successfully conducted the 2025 Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Week, themed “Smuggling of Migrants: Emerging Trends, Realities and National Response.” At the Service Headquarters, Abuja.

The week-long sensitization was declared open by the Comptroller-General KN Nandap pcc, mmis, fsmn, fspsp, ably represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General (Works & Logistics), AJ Umanah, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to combating irregular migration and transnational crimes. She noted that rising organized smuggling, digital deception, and proliferation of complex routes have increased migrant risks, prompting intensified youth-focused sensitization, including outreach to over 200,000 NYSC corps members in 2025.

Day Two featured a high-level panel discussion on “Irregular Migration: Realities, Risks and Collective Responsibility,” engaging stakeholders on safe and legal migration pathways, shared responsibility, and national efforts to curb migrant smuggling, alongside a debate by secondary school students highlighting the dangers of irregular migration.

Day Three featured roadside and market sensitization campaigns, taking the anti-smuggling message directly to grassroots communities. The programme concluded on Day Four with a Sports Day, marking the end of the campaign and reinforcing unity, awareness, and collective responsibility against migrant smuggling.

e-Signed
ACI AS Akinlabi
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service
Service Headquarters, Abuja
20th December, 2025

NIGERIA RE-ELECTED TO THE ICAO PUBLIC KEY DIRECTORY (PKD) BOARD FOR A SIXTH CONSECUTIVE TERM

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has been re-elected to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) Board for a sixth consecutive term. The re-election took place on Thursday, 11th December 2025, during the 31st PKD Board Meeting held in Montreal, Canada.

2. The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, fspsp, led Nigeria’s delegation to the election, securing this significant diplomatic achievement through the country’s consistent contributions, shared implementation experiences, and innovations in Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), electronic Machine-Readable Travel Document (eMRTD) verification, and digital identity harmonization.
3. Nigeria’s membership in the ICAO-PKD since 2009 has 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.
4. This achievement reaffirms the Nigeria Immigration Service’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly in fulfilling Nigeria’s international obligations and maintaining its active role within the global community.
5. The Nigeria Immigration Service remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of border security, advancing digital identity initiatives, and safeguarding the integrity of travel documents issued to Nigerians and residents.

e-Signed

ACI AS Akinlabi
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja

17th December, 2025.

Nigeria Immigration Service and IOM Deepen Strategic Collaboration On Border Governance, Migration Management

Nigeria Immigration Service and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration in promoting effective Migration Management and Border Governance in Nigeria. This was reinforced at the NIS/IOM High-Level Strategic Engagement Meeting held on Thursday, 13th November, 2025, in Lagos, themed “Strengthening Strategic Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance.

2. The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Lagos, ACG EL Anugwa, pcc fsi, fcna, while welcoming participants to the engagement meeting hailed the unique collaboration between Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) calling it a reference in Government to International Organization synergy and commended IOM for their continued support. Goodwill messages from NIS-IOM Projects Donor Agencies including British High Commission, Consulate of Germany and Consulate of Kingdom of the Netherlands emphasized leveraging on the collaboration for effective Migration Management management and improved Border Governance.

3. The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nanna Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn in her Keynote Address, emphasized that the meeting represented a strategic opportunity to review the trajectory of NIS–IOM cooperation and chart a roadmap for deeper collaboration towards modernized and technology-driven Border Management. She acknowledged IOM’s long-standing partnership and technical support, which have contributed immensely to institutional reforms, operational capacity enhancement, and the development of policy frameworks such as the National Border Management Strategy.
4. Speaking at the event, the Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, Mr. Dimanche Sharon, commended NIS for its visionary leadership and reform-driven approach to Migration Management and Border Governance. He noted that the Service has become a regional reference point for digital transformation in Border Government through the deployment of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), e-Border solutions, enhanced identity management, and improved operational capacity in combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. He further stressed that the engagement provides a platform to identify operational gaps, capacity needs, and areas for high-impact interventions in the next phase of the NIS–IOM partnership.
5. The two-day strategic engagement will feature high-level presentations and technical sessions on key thematic areas, aiming to produce actionable recommendations and a joint roadmap to guide future engagements between NIS and IOM. This initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in Migration Management and Border Governance in West and Central Africa.

e-Signed
ACI A. S. Akinlabi
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja
13th November, 2025

The Nigeria Immigration Service organized a Stakeholders’ Sensitization Seminar themed “Evolving Patterns in Smuggling of Migrants: Towards a Coordinated National Response” at the Service Headquarters, Abuja. The seminar brought together representatives from key government institutions, international partners, and civil society organizations to discuss emerging trends in migrant smuggling and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.

Declaring the seminar open and in her keynote address, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, described Smuggling of Migrants as a growing transnational threat to national security and human dignity, stressing that “it is our collective duty to ensure no Nigerian is left vulnerable to exploitation or deception.” She noted that Nigeria’s socio-economic diversity makes it a source, transit, and destination country for Migration, and called for a coordinated national strategy built on partnership, vigilance, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

The Comptroller-General further revealed that the Service’s renewed operational alertness has continued to yield tangible results. Recently, Border Patrol operatives at Seme Border denied entry to 332 migrants who lacked valid travel documents, while 294 Nigerian nationals suspected to be irregular migrants attempting to leave the country under the “Japa Syndrome” were refused exit. In addition, 36 victims of human trafficking and child labour were rescued at the same border. She attributed these successes to enhanced border surveillance measures, including the installation of new CCTV cameras.

In her welcome address, the Deputy-Comptroller General Migration Directorate, N Odikpo, highlighted that the seminar provides a platform not only to share knowledge but also to forge stronger partnerships in combating the menace. She emphasized that “the fight against migrant smuggling is not merely about enforcing laws, it is about protecting lives.

The technical session featured three presentations titled “Strengthening Collaboration for a Coordinated National Response to Smuggling of Migrants,” “The Evolving Role of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Combating Migrant Smuggling,” and “Upholding the Rights and Dignity of Migrants in Nigeria’s Response to Smuggling.” The presentations explored operational challenges, best practices, and the importance of human-rights-based approaches to migration management.

Participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting vulnerable migrants, dismantling smuggling networks, and enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to respond to irregular migration through effective inter-agency cooperation.

This sensitization seminar reinforces the Service’s determination to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration in line with the Federal Government’s Migration Governance framework and international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

e-Signed
ACI AS AKINLABI
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja
11th November, 2025

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, participated in the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes, organized and co-hosted by Nigeria in collaboration with Government of France. While speaking at the meeting, she announced that the Nigeria Immigration Service is set to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC). The initiative forms part of the Service’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Identity Management and Border Governance frameworks in line with global best practices.

2. The high-level meeting convened critical stakeholders in migration management in Nigeria and abroad including National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internal Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Representatives from ECOWAS, AU, EU, African and European countries

3. The meeting seeks to reinforce coordinated prevention, protection, and prosecution responses to Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons across African and European migration routes among participating Migration Agencies. Serving as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning legal frameworks, and fostering inter-agency cooperation, the forum underscored the importance of collective and sustained action in addressing the root causes of irregular migration, dismantling transnational criminal networks, with emphasis on the protection of rights of objects migrants smuggling and victims of human trafficking

4. Delivering her keynote address titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses” the Nigeria Immigration Service Perspective, the Comptroller-General highlighted part of the Service’s comprehensive reform agenda which also focuses on combating Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons through enhanced Border Governance, improved Migration Management systems, capacity building, and strengthened international collaboration.

5. Building on this framework, the CGI explained that the forthcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will serve as a temporary travel document for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost, or stolen, enabling them to return home in a secure and verifiable manner. She noted that the travel document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad and valid only for single entry, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and robust identity protection.

6. The Comptroller-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, emphasizing that the Nigeria Immigration Service will continue to align its policies and operations with international standards to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration across borders.

e-Signed
ACI A. S. Akinlabi
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja
5th November, 2025

NIS Leads the Future of Digital Governance: Double Honours at the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (The Presidency), State House Awards Night, Held October 10  2025.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has been honoured by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms as the Best Federal MDA in Public Service Automation, in recognition of its exceptional strides in digital transformation, process innovation, and technology-driven Service Delivery, setting a national benchmark for efficiency and transparency in governance.

At the same event, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, received the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the Service’s digital modernization agenda.

Assistant Comptroller-General PC Ogbodo, pcc, who heads the Gender and Welfare Unit, received the awards on behalf of the Service and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, expressing appreciation to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms and reaffirming the Service’s dedication to continuous innovation and excellence in governance.

The Nigeria Immigration Service remains resolutely committed to aligning with global best practices, harnessing digital innovation, and delivering world-class service.

eSigned
ACI AS Akinlabi
Service Public Relations Officer
Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja
13th October, 2025.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, received the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to the Service Headquarters in Abuja today, where they inspected the newly built Centralized Passport Personalization Center.

The delegation toured the facility, accompanied by technical partners who provided detailed briefings on each unit within the state-of-the-art center. Journalists were also present, gaining first-hand insight into this significant milestone in passport administration.

This world-class facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology is designed to put an end to production of passports across multiple centres and centralization in one location. This will significantly boost passport production capacity and streamline the process for Nigerians seeking passports by reducing their waiting time.

The Honorable Minister described the new passport center as a long-awaited achievement, marking a significant milestone for the NIS since 1963. He expressed gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering support, noting that the center will boost daily passport production from 300 to 5,000 units, aligning with global standards. This upgrade is expected to eliminate backlogs and delays, ensuring Nigerians receive their passports in record time.

The Nigeria Immigration Service remains firmly committed to delivering seamless, transparent, and efficient passport services to all Nigerians worldwide, ensuring timely delivery and exceptional service.

e-Signed
ACI AS AKINLABI
SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE
HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
18TH SEPTEMBER 2025