By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Government is to rehabilitate the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) with a view to ensuring effective border management.
The statement was made by the Minister of the Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Tuesday, in Abuja, inaugurated by 105 officials who were trained in the application and use of the electronic solution installed at the country’s borders.
Tunji-Ojo commended the Kemi Nandap-led Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for its innovative approaches to border management and migration management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria shares its 4,047-kilometer border with the Republic of Benin (773 kilometers), Cameroon (1,690 kilometers), Chad (87 kilometers), Niger (1,497 kilometers) and the Gulf of Guinea. 853 kilometers).
The minister said: “If they leave, we will protect our borders – all 4,047 kilometers.”
“Our border is very special. Nigeria is a Sahel state and a Gulf of Guinea state. It is a unique geographic location and you need to understand it.
“In the Sahel you understand the situation in the Sahel. Five of the ten poorest countries in the world are located in the Sahel region.
“The problem of climate change is a problem that also affects irregular migration in the Sahel.
“We also know that the proximity of wealth and opportunity in the Gulf of Guinea also encourages irregular migration. So there is a lot to do.
“The challenges are many, but the good news is that we have agents that I know are capable, competent and professional enough to protect our borders.
“We constantly work on their FOBs because we know that some, I mean almost all, are not very interesting. “We are working on it and I am sure they will see the FOBs in the coming months,” he said.
The minister said the government is working on many other things to ensure that officers and soldiers are well equipped to face the challenges.
He said, “We will not send you to the farm without giving you the necessary tools.” Technology is one thing, but there are many other things besides technology.
“We did our analysis. We know what you need and I guarantee we will support it. We want to make you pay. The security of this country depends on your professionalism.
“The security of this country depends on your responsibility. The security of this country depends on your determination and sacrifice. As you know, we don’t just tell them to watch the boundaries.
“This President has come to give them working conditions like never before because the President believes that a happy workforce must also be an efficient workforce and that is why his promotion today is regular.
“Actually, I believe we started and completed the 2023 course in 2023 last year.
“At the moment, I believe we completed the 2024 promotion exercise in September and our target is to complete 2025 before September,” he said.
Hailing the officer for his hard work and diligence, the minister said, “The President has increased his salary and allowances.
“The least we can do is give back by being hardworking, efficient and a symbol of what Nigeria stands for. Nigeria is about resilience.
“Nigeria is about determination. Nigeria is about efficiency and effectiveness. “That is us.”
In his speech, Nandap said the 105 officers were drawn from 28 border formations.
Nandap said the training was aimed at developing the skills needed to implement and manage the E-Border solution.
He added that in addition to investing in technology, the NIS management is also investing in human capital development.
The NIS CG, who also spoke about the benefits of the training, said it would give the service a chance to have better control.
This, he said, includes data collection and management as well as collaboration with other regional and international stakeholders.
“Our borders are more secure and our citizens are safer, while this e-border solution will also facilitate trade.
“These officers have received extensive training to ensure that once they are there, they know what to do and how to interact with the systems we are implementing,” he added.
