THE Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to a strategic, secured and technologically advanced border management.
This is contained in a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mr Ozoya Imohimi, on Thursday in Abuja.
The Minister reiterated the commitment during a high-level engagement with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other key stakeholders on Wednesday.
Tunji-Ojo said that the nation’s evolving identity served as a beacon of innovation, opportunity, and hospitality for all.
“Nigeria is a nation of hope not just for Nigerians but for the global community as border control remains a national focus.
”A safe border is a secured nation because without proper border management, we cannot ensure the safety of our people,” he said.
According to him, notable progress has been made in the completion of phase one of Nigeria’s e-Border Surveillance System.
He said that plans were underway to extend real-time monitoring across all 4,047 kilometres of the nation’s borders.
Tunji-Ojo said that the federal government has enhanced Nigeria’s sovereign travel document by aligning it with global best practices.
He said that some of President Bola Tinubu’s administration achievements include the launch of a digitalised landing and exit card system.
This, he said, include a centralised information management system using Advance Passenger Information (API).
The minister, however, decried a recent IOM facilitated workshop without consultation or involvement from the Nigerian Immigration Service or the Ministry.
He said that the workshop was funded by a foreign ministry that touched on national security matters, adding that it was a “gross violation of our sovereign rights”.
“We are not helpless. We welcome collaboration, but support must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and dignity,” he said.
The Minister explained that any engagement on national security issues must include relevant Nigerian authorities and reflect mutual respect.
Responding , the IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Ms Sharon Dimanche, offered lauded the minister’s candid remarks and the warm welcome to Nigeria.
Dimanche expressed IOM’s readiness to continue working in partnership with Nigerian authorities in line with three strategic priorities.
She said the priorities are saving lives and protecting vulnerable populations, driving solutions to displacement and facilitating regular migration pathways.
She added that this also include efforts around digital transformation and border governance.
