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 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

The Nigeria Immigration Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, commenced a three-day workshop for Passport Control and Front Desk Officers at the Service Headquarters, Abuja. Themed “Strengthening Identity Management Through Innovations in Passport Administration”. This workshop is part of the Service’s commitment to enhancing passport integrity, digital transformation, and service efficiency.

In her address, the CGIS charged officers to uphold the sanctity of the Nigerian passport, emphasizing thorough vetting, professionalism, and ethical conduct during issuance processes. She noted that every passport issued represents a formal endorsement of citizenship and must be handled with utmost responsibility.

The CGIS reaffirmed the Service’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, reiterating that officers must uphold the integrity of the Nigerian passport and provide exceptional service to citizens. She further encouraged officers to actively participate in the training, acquire actionable strategies, and return to their posts empowered to deliver world-class service.

e-Signed
ACI AS AKINLABI
Service Public Relations Officer,
Nigeria Immigration Service
Headquarters, Abuja
23rd July, 2025