The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has been elected Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Immigration Forum.
This was announced in a statement released on the Service’s official X account, signed by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, on Tuesday.
According to Udo, the election took place during the forum’s recent meeting in Banjul, Gambia, where representatives from 13 member states convened to address issues surrounding migration and mobility.
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The discussions focused on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and eliminating the 90-day stay limit and residence permits for community citizens.
The ENBIC aims to replace the current ECOWAS Travel Certificate and Residence Permit, simplifying movement, residency, and business activities within the region while maintaining national security.
The NIS PRO quoted the Comptroller-General stressing the importance of swift policy execution to promote regional integration and socio-economic development. While acknowledging the progress made, she highlighted persistent challenges like irregular migration, human trafficking, and border security issues, worsened by the vastness of the borders.
She called for a unified and coordinated approach to border management and immigration practices across ECOWAS to ensure both security and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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