NIS Advocates Community Role in Border Security

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), under the leadership of Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap, has called for increased participation of border communities in securing Nigeria’s borders. This appeal was made during the 2026 conference of the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) held in Lagos, themed “The Connected Borderlands: Socio-Cultural Integration and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security.” Nandap highlighted the necessity of rethinking Nigeria’s border management approach due to changing migration patterns and emerging security threats.

She emphasized that border areas should be seen as places of interaction and legitimate trade rather than mere geographical boundaries. Nandap noted that the NIS is leveraging technology, including enhanced e-Passports and biometric systems, to improve border management.

She also mentioned that Nigeria was the first African country to introduce electronic passports in 2007. The conference included discussions on the impact of health emergencies and regional insurgencies on border security, led by ABORNE Chairman Prof Paul Nugent.