By Ekunkonye Junior, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG) has announced significant advancements in national border security and travel facilitation through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
In a press statement from Dr Ozoya Imohimi, the Director Press and Publiç Relations, Federal Ministry of Interior the collaboration aims to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to manage its borders, identify high-risk individuals, and streamline entry for legitimate travelers.
Key developments are that: the Ministry of Aviation’s deployment of Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) has played a crucial role in improving border control, enabling the identification of high-risk individuals and enhancing national security; the National Border Management Strategy and Action Plan, developed in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aims to boost the Nigerian Immigration Service’s (NIS) effectiveness and efficiency in managing Nigeria’s borders and; the Nigeria Customs Service has deployed geospatial technology to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering, and enforcement across Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.
However, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Aviation’s consistent support, highlighting the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration in enhancing national security.
The partnership has resulted in enhanced capacity to identify high-risk individuals and streamline entry for legitimate travelers, as well as streamlined processes and improved management of Nigeria’s borders.
The implications are that the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has significant implications for Nigeria’s national security and economic development.
By strengthening border security and travel facilitation, the government aims to: enhance national security, by reducing security threats and cross-border organized crime and; promote economic growth, by facilitating safe and orderly migration and contributing to socioeconomic development.
