The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has emerged as Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Immigration Forum.
This announcement was made in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr. Kenneth Udo, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Udo stated that this milestone was achieved during the forum’s recent meeting in Banjul, Gambia, where 13 member states convened to address migration and mobility challenges.
The meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and abolishing the 90-day stay limit/residence permits for community citizens.
He added that the ENBIC aims to replace the ECOWAS Travel Certificate and Residence Permit, facilitating easier movement, residence, and business across the region without compromising national security.
The NIS PRO quoted the CG as emphasizing the need for expedited policy implementation to foster regional integration and socio-economic progress.
She acknowledged the strides made so far while highlighting current challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and border security concerns, which have been exacerbated by expansive borders.
Nandap called for a coordinated and harmonized approach to border management and immigration practices across the region to ensure both security and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop concluded with the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of agreed pillars to be progressively pursued in the realization of the Act SA.1/7/14), being a Decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
NAN further reports that the forum agreed to collaborate with the existing Border Management Thematic Working Group established earlier.