The Federal Government announced on Monday in Abuja its plans to establish a Command and Control Centre aimed at addressing irregular migration into Nigeria. This initiative was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the induction ceremony for operational officers of the Command and Control Centre for Regular Migration.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in migration management within the subregion, noting the country’s unique geographical challenges. “Nigeria does not have the luxury that some other countries have, because of our geographical location. We are in the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea. The tendency for migration towards Nigeria from the Sahelian states is there,” he stated.
The minister revealed that the upcoming irregular migration Command and Control Centre would not solely focus on airports but also monitor land and marine borders, ensuring that anyone entering the country is pre-profiled. He mentioned that the president would soon commission electronic gates (e-gates) at international airports, enhancing the screening process.
“This is a scheme where there is no margin of error… Security must be 100 percent accurate and not 99.9 percent because the 0.1 percent inaccuracy can destroy the 99 percent,” he added, highlighting the necessity for continuous power supply to avoid downtime in operations.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo further expressed confidence in the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), stating that it has evolved beyond a mere travel document processing agency to a crucial component of Nigeria’s national security architecture. He underscored the importance of the personnel selected for the centre, asserting that their work is vital for national safety.
Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller General of NIS, announced that 123 officers, chosen from an initial pool of 253 candidates after rigorous training, would be tasked with operations at the centre. She explained that these officers would undergo specialized training in data analysis and travel plan analysis, critical for their roles in managing migration.
The Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Border Management, Dr. MC Dike, added that the centre would utilize Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems to analyze data related to individuals of interest before they arrive in Nigeria. He highlighted the centre’s potential to align with international best practices in border management, improving overall effectiveness in preventing irregular migration.
