The federal government says it has implemented an e-border solution at 40% of the nation’s borders.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known at Tuesday’s media briefing and interactive session in Abuja.
Tunji-Ojo stated that the measure is part of attempts to strengthen Nigerian life and property security.
According to him, technological innovation will go a long way in helping the country adequately monitor its borders.
He explained that a secured border ensures a safe nation, adding that newly acquired vehicles have been deployed to improve border management.
“Immigration (Nigeria Immigration Service) is beyond a travel document-issuing agency…we sat down and took a decision that the issue of migration management and border control must be at the core of what NIS should be doing.
“I’m happy to tell you that the first phase of our e-border solution has been completed as we speak. I wouldn’t want to go too deeply into that, but I want to tell you that the first phase is 100% completed and covers 40% of the design of the e-border solution across the country. We hope that the second phase will start this year,” he disclosed.
The minister went on to say that part of the country’s border control strategy involves deploying the e-gate technology at airports.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that Nigeria has also implemented Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR) to improve passenger identification and border management.
He intimated that the inauguration of the command and control technology and innovation center at the NIS headquarters will result in real-time surveillance of the nation’s land border as well as all entrance ports to all airports.
The minister, on the other hand, expressed disappointment that Nigeria issues visas abroad, as opposed to the developed world, where visa approval is typically done in the home country’s home office.
He added that the federal government had decided to unify the visa regime processes with a Visa Approval Center in Abuja, where all visa applications would be approved.
