The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, has emerged chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Immigration Forum.
This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Mr Kenneth Udo on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mr Udo said the milestone occurred during the forum’s recent meeting in Banjul, Gambia, where 13 member states gathered to address migration and mobility challenges.
He said that the meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and abolishing the 90-day stay limit/residence permits for community citizens.
He added that ENBIC aimed to replace the ECOWAS travel certificate and residence permit, facilitating easier movement, residence, and business across the region without compromising national security.
The NIS PRO quoted the CG as emphasising the need for expedited policy implementation to foster regional integration and socio-economic progress.
She acknowledged the strides made so far, while highlighting current challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and border security concerns, which have been exacerbated by expansive borders.
She called for a coordinated and harmonised approach to border management and immigration practices across the region to ensure both security and the protection of citizens’ rights.
The workshop concluded with the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of agreed pillars to be progressively pursued in the realisation of the Act SA.1/7/14), being a decision of the authority of ECOWAS heads of state and government.
The forum agreed to work with the existing border management thematic working group earlier established.
(NAN)
