NIS seeks community-centred approach to border security

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is advocating for a community-focused approach to securing Nigeria's borders. This strategy, suggested by the Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap at a conference of the African Borderlands Research Network, involves integrating digital technology, biometric systems, and intelligence sharing alongside local knowledge of border communities.

Nandap emphasized that borders are not just geographical boundaries but also areas where families interact, trade, and movement occurs. She stressed the importance of securing borders while allowing lawful movement and safeguarding the socio-cultural and economic ties that these communities rely on. Nandap highlighted that the NIS has been progressively introducing digital systems such as enhanced e-Passports, biometric identity verification, and automated passport applications to strengthen border management.

Nigeria became the first African country to implement electronic passports in 2007, which have since been upgraded with stronger security features. Biometric passport services have expanded access for Nigerians living abroad and automated border control systems, including e-gates, are being used at international airports for faster processing.

Additionally, surveillance systems, command and control capabilities, and integrated data platforms are being deployed across Nigeria's air, land, and maritime borders. The conference's Chairman, Prof Paul Nugent, noted that health emergencies and regional insurgencies have frequently resulted in prolonged border closures, impacting border communities and cross-border economic activities.

ABORNE seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking by engaging border agencies, policymakers, and practitioners. Prof Paul Nugent called for a shift in perceptions of African borders, which are often viewed solely in terms of insecurity and underdevelopment. The Minister of Interior, Dr Kareem Olakuju, stated that Nigeria's border reforms reflect the government's commitment to national security while facilitating legitimate trade and regional mobility.

Prof Ibiyemi Bello, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, emphasized the significance of the university's partnership with the NIS in linking research, policy, and operational practice in border governance.