‘ECOWAS Biometric Card ‘ll Enhance Travel, Free Trade in Member States’

The newly launched ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) holds significant promise for enhancing free and safe movement and trade within the West African region, according to various stakeholders, including the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and ECOWAS itself. The ENBIC, priced at N35,000, is a crucial step towards realizing the goals of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and national initiatives to bolster migration governance and regional collaboration.

During a press briefing in Lagos, ECOWAS officials emphasized the indispensable role of public awareness and media reporting in building trust and ensuring Nigerians understand the workings of the travel document. ECOWAS Director of Free Movement of Persons, Migration, and Tourism, Mr. Obinna Ajugwo, highlighted that while progress has been made in mobility facilitation, challenges related to identity management, irregular migration, and cross-border crime persist.

The ENBIC, he stated, serves as a symbol of belonging and inclusion, enabling safe, secure, and efficient movement across the region. The initiative hinges not solely on technology and policy frameworks but also on fostering trust and disseminating accurate information among citizens. ECOWAS Director Ajugwo underscored the media's pivotal role in shaping public perception and building confidence in such initiatives, stressing that they are crucial bridges between institutions and community members.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sub-office in Lagos, represented by Ali Ali Ibrahim, echoed the importance of the ENBIC in aligning with the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and contributing to broader international and national commitments, particularly those outlined in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Ibrahim emphasized that the ENBIC should be evaluated not merely by the number of cards issued, but by its impact on safer mobility, stronger regional integration, increased economic opportunities, and an improved experience for citizens traversing ECOWAS borders. The Nigeria Immigration Service, under the leadership of its Assistant Comptroller General (Passports and Other Travel Documents), ACG T. O. Olaiya, described the ENBIC as a watershed moment in regional integration, emphasizing its pivotal role in facilitating legitimate and seamless movement across West Africa.

For the NIS, the project represents a delicate balance between facilitating free movement and preserving border security. However, success requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to ensure accurate information dissemination and public understanding.