The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has commended Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Agencies it supervises for their immense contributions towards the establishment of the NIS Technology Building, Data Command and Control Centre situated in the Service Headquarters.
The commendation was made by Mohammed Babandede, Comptroller General of NIS, during the official commissioning of the building by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, on Friday, in Abuja.
NIS Data Command and Control Center, was tastefully furnished with modern facilities and equipment has positioned the Nigeria Immigration Service to align with the transformation agenda and Digital Economy Policy and Strategy of President Buhari’s administration.
He said the contributions made by the project implementation committee which comprises of Agencies under Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Police Force, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Galaxy Backbone and other service providers, according to him, their various contributions assisted in achieving the realization and full automation of the system and operation of the building.
The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), was ably represented by the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who is passionate about the creation of ecosystem that enhances innovation, entrepreneurship and digital economy.
Babandede stated that the project is a strategic move to enable the use of digital technology in enhancing the fight against fraudsters and borderline security challenges in the country.
The CG confirmed that, with the adoption of digital transformation, both local and transnational criminal activities can be easily monitored and nipped in the bud.
He added that the PKG, PKI, solution approved by Federal Executive Council, FEC, recently, would make gathering of information faster, optimize industry and international collaboration, drive better informed decisions and ultimately help improve travel experience.
The NIS CG further assured the global community that holders of Nigerian passport can no longer travel with lost, stolen or reissued passport. “This information is now available to Interpol and the COW member state. In the next few days Nigerians can use their passport in any airport that has eGates facilities throughout the world” he added confidently.
“As the technology hub of the service, the operation at the center would achieve seamless synchronization and real time sharing of virtual national security information, with relevant Government Agencies, with a view to enhancing operational efficiency and national security.”
“Having a central database and data processing center provides access to information at the touch of a button. This makes it possible to monitor all entry and exit at our borders and have real time information on all immigrants”, he ascertained.
The Minister of Interior and chief host of the event, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola, in his speech titled “A new dawn in border management” averred that identity disguise is most nearly impossible with the new data control and command center.
He said, “Having a central database and data processing center provides access to information at the touch of a button. This makes it possible to monitor all entry and exit at our borders and have real time information on all immigrants.”
He further explained that the development would have a great impact on the Nations security.
“What we have in this context is the national command and control center for all data, coming from border management output” he added.
The center has the capacity to receive and give out still and motion photograph, and audio signals in real time, making coordinating seamlessly within our borders.
