By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS and International Organization for Migration, IOM Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration in promoting effective Migration Management and Border Governance in Nigeria.
This in a press release signed by ACI Akinsola Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer was reinforced at the NIS/IOM High-Level Strategic Engagement Meeting held yesterday in Lagos, themed: “Strengthening Strategic Collaboration for Effective Migration Management and Border Governance.”
In her Keynote Address, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Kemi Nanna Nandap, emphasized that the meeting represented a strategic opportunity to review the trajectory of NIS–IOM cooperation and chart a roadmap for deeper collaboration towards modernized and technology-driven Border Management.
Nandap acknowledged IOM’s long-standing partnership and technical support, which have contributed immensely to institutional reforms, operational capacity enhancement, and the development of policy frameworks such as the National Border Management Strategy.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, Mr. Dimanche Sharon, commended NIS for its visionary leadership and reform-driven approach to Migration Management and Border Governance.
He noted that the Service has become a regional reference point for digital transformation in Border Government through the deployment of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System, MIDAS, e-Border solutions, enhanced identity management, and improved operational capacity in combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
He further stressed that the engagement provides a platform to identify operational gaps, capacity needs, and areas for high-impact interventions in the next phase of the NIS–IOM partnership.
The two-day strategic engagement according to the statement will feature high-level presentations and technical sessions on key thematic areas, aiming to produce actionable recommendations and a joint roadmap to guide future engagements between NIS and IOM.
It added that this initiative was expected to strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in Migration Management and Border Governance in West and Central Africa.
At the meeting, goodwill messages from NIS-IOM Projects Donor Agencies including British High Commission, Consulate of Germany and Consulate of Kingdom of the Netherlands emphasized leveraging on the collaboration for effective Migration Management management and improved Border Governance.
