Lagos, Nigeria — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has moved to deepen its partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a bid to modernise the country’s borders and tighten migration governance.
At a two-day high-level strategic engagement in Lagos themed “Strengthening Strategic Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance,” Comptroller-General of Immigration Kemi Nanna Nandap said the meeting offered a crucial chance to review the trajectory of NIS–IOM cooperation and draw up a fresh roadmap for technology-driven border management.
She praised IOM’s “long-standing and transformative” support in policy development, institutional reforms and operational capacity building, including work on Nigeria’s National Border Management Strategy.
NIS Zonal Coordinator, ACG Echefulam Anugwa, described the partnership as a model of how government agencies can work with international organisations to strengthen national security and protect migrants’ rights.
IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission Dimanche Sharon commended NIS for what he called “visionary leadership and reform-driven” efforts on migration management, noting that the Service has become a regional reference point for digital border governance through:
- The Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at air, land and sea borders
- e-Border solutions and enhanced identity management systems
- Expanded capacity to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants
He said the engagement would help identify operational gaps, capacity needs and high-impact intervention areas for the next phase of the NIS–IOM partnership, particularly as migration routes through West and Central Africa become more complex and more dangerous.
The meeting includes high-level presentations and technical breakout sessions, expected to produce actionable recommendations and a joint roadmap for future cooperation. Donor partners such as the British High Commission, the German Consulate and the Dutch Consulate also sent goodwill messages, urging both institutions to leverage the partnership to further professionalise border control and protect vulnerable migrants.
Officials say the strengthened collaboration will support Nigeria’s wider push for “smart borders”—integrating biometrics, real-time data, and advanced passenger information—while aligning with regional ECOWAS and AU frameworks on safe, orderly and regular migration.
The initiative is ultimately expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in migration management in West and Central Africa, positioning NIS not only as a frontline security agency but also as a key partner in humanitarian protection and international mobility governance.
