- Nigerian Government launched the Regular Migration Control Centre at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
- The centre aims to provide real-time monitoring of all international airports
- Integration with global databases, including INTERPOL, to track passengers' travel history
The Federal Government has set up the Regular Migration Control Centre at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, to track and monitor all international airports in Nigeria in real time.
Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Interior Minister, shared on Channels Television's Politics Today programme on Tuesday, November 12, that the centre began operating 24/7 on Monday after an induction program took place about two weeks earlier.
Tunji-Ojo announces completion of Nigeria's 24/7 migration control centre
“The command center is 100% complete. As a matter of fact, we did the induction program about two weeks ago. Just yesterday we started the 24-hour operation of the command and control centre in the Nigerian Immigration Service Headquarters in Sauka, Abuja. It covers all the international airports in the country,” the Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo stated.
Explaining the system, the minister noted that the centre is outfitted with the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which supports the pre-screening of passengers before they reach Nigeria.
Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the system is connected to global databases such as INTERPOL and national criminal records, which helps authorities trace passengers' travel history, including the routes they’ve taken and the countries they’ve visited in the past weeks or months.
Control centre to enhance border security, streamline immigration
The Minister also revealed that work is in progress to connect land and sea borders to the system, which will expand the centre's scope. When fully completed, the Regular Migration Control Centre will oversee Nigeria's key entry points more comprehensively.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has set up a 0.5MW solar farm to guarantee continuous operations at the centre and its related facilities, such as the data and visa approval centres, all situated within the NIS headquarters.
According to Tunji-Ojo, the establishment of the Regular Migration Control Centre is a pivotal step in enhancing Nigeria’s border security infrastructure.
The system aims to improve the country’s ability to counter illegal migration, streamline immigration procedures, and strengthen national security.
Nigerian government approves increment in the passport fees
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal government approved the increment of passport fees.
Nigeria Immigration Service said the increase was part of the federal government’s effort to ensure the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport.