President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to join forces with his administration in promoting peace and unity in the country despite different political leanings and inclinations for the unfettered development of the nation.
He made the call on Tuesday during the commissioning of the multi-billion-naira Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters in Abuja. He maintained that Nigerians are one despite the diversity of language and culture of the people.
The newly commissioned state-of-the-art complex includes several critical components, such as a data centre with an 8.3-petabyte capacity, a command and control centre, and a Visa approval centre (VAC). These installations are expected to enhance internal security, improve the ease of doing business, and promote regional travel and trade.
President Tinubu, underscoring the importance of unity and peace in the country, said Nigerians are all occupants of one building who are only living in different rooms.
Speaking further in his keynote address, Tinubu noted that the integration of border security, whether air, land, or sea, embarked upon by the ministry, is a fulfilment of a dream.
He recalled that from the beginning of his administration, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, promised to deliver and execute innovative solutions across the government, including the NIS, and was delighted that the Minister has kept to his words, causing huge transformations in the Service and other agencies under his purview.
He commended Tunji-Ojo for his developmental strides, saying what he has “achieved in passports alone has given this country a great reputation internationally. I thank you. We must thank you.”
Tinubu could not hide his feelings when he noted that he was excited to see the NIS taking its pride of place as a frontline security agency in the country.
“Our visa approval centre will provide a one-stop shop for visa applications. What more? Nigerians and visitors can travel with ease, do business partnerships with ease, and live honestly with each other.
“Like I always say, the world is getting smaller with ICT, and the house is just a house for all of us. We hear political cracks here and there, but we are one family living in the same house but staying in different rooms. And it is in our hands to do justice to our children.
“The centre being commissioned today should provide a sustained communication architecture linking relevant agencies with collaborative technology along a trusted information network. I am very proud of those who are involved and the leadership that you have demonstrated,” the president added.
The President acknowledged that the restructuring of the Immigration Service and air travel would benefit Nigeria tremendously through ease of entry and exit.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the idea for the Technology Innovation Complex, which now houses the NIS Command and Control Centre, was first conceived 18 years ago. However, due to rivalry among agencies and a lack of political will, the project could not be realised until now.
Highlighting the numerous benefits of the complex, Tunji-Ojo explained that it goes beyond immigration, as all agencies under the ministry can now share information in real-time, harmonise data, and respond efficiently to issues.
Tunji-Ojo said: “The Command and Control Centre that we have is not just about the Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) system. Even our border posts—over 200 points today, real-time entry and exit, over 5 km in and out—we are watching the borders and getting information to be able to escalate to the armed forces when the need arises. Even our marine and air borders are covered.
“Let me say what we are commissioning today is a very massive complex. It is not just about immigration because when we came on board, we realised that we were spending money at different agencies, wasting billions every year, and we decided that we should create a centre point where all of us can feed from.
“We started with an idea of 1.4 petabytes, but what we have today is 8.3 petabytes—one of the largest in the world—meaning that all the agencies in the Ministry of Interior can work together harmoniously and exchange data, and at the end of the day, be able to respond in record time to any emergency or security threat.
“Also, we decided that for people who, all they aspire to do, is to be able to go to some West African countries to do business, they might not be able to afford the little money for a passport. And so, here we have an ECOWAS ID Card project. The travel document will be available for people even at the lower rungs of the ladder.
“Before Your Excellency came to office, we had a visa regime that was discretionary, but now we have an automated service. You apply online, and it goes through several checks, including watch lists and the visa is issued within 48 hours.
“Also, we have the Correctional Information Management System. It has already been deployed. We saw what happened during jailbreak some years ago. It was difficult getting the identities and biometrics of the escapees, but when we had the flood in Maiduguri, in less than three to four hours, we had all the information ready and shared with all security agencies, and that led to the apprehension of so many of them,” he explained.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, said he and his Interior counterpart, on the assumption of office, resolved to tackle inter-agency rivalry and deliver world-class projects for the benefit of Nigerians.
He noted that the project is an example of interministerial cooperation between Interior and Aviation.
Of the 54 countries in Africa, Nigeria is one out of seven to have the system in place, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Comptroller General of Immigration Service CGIS, Kemi Nandap, who gave the overview of the project, said the complex is more than just a building, but a bold step in modernising immigration infrastructure and a powerful tool in NIS’ ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, manage migration effectively, and enhance national security.
She disclosed that the facility has achieved certification with the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO and integrated with the International Air Transport Association IATA, further ensuring the integrity and accountability of individuals entering our country.
“Additionally, BATTIC is a multi-faceted complex comprising several critical components that will play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s security and migration management. These include the Command-and-Control Centre for Regular Migration; the NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre; the Interior Data Centre; the Passport Personalisation Centre; the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre; and the 0.5KW Solar Farm.
“Each of these components has been meticulously designed to meet international standards, ensuring that Nigeria not only catches up with global trends but becomes a leader in the management of migration data.
“At the heart of BATTIC’s mission is its ability to manage and analyse varying levels of data efficiently, using state-of-the-art technology. Allow me to highlight some of the key functions and capabilities of this remarkable facility:
“Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Analysis: This enables us to assess the risk levels of passengers even before they arrive in Nigeria or depart from their country of origin.
“Identification of Suspicious Travel Patterns: By analysing travel data, we can detect anomalies that may indicate potential security threats.
“24/7 Surveillance: The complex will support real-time video surveillance to monitor unmanned border areas across the federation, ensuring a constant watch on border activities.
“Integrated Communication Platform: BATTIC will facilitate seamless communication across all levels—from border patrol units to border control posts, state commands, the service headquarters, and the Ministry of Interior.
“Cross-Referencing with National and International Watchlists: Data will be cross-checked against various national and global security databases, including INTERPOL, to ensure no security threats slip through the cracks.
“In essence, BATTIC will serve as the central hub for our digital infrastructure, dramatically enhancing our surveillance capabilities, streamlining migration management, and strengthening our national security framework.
Operationalising the solutions in this facility will enhance migration management in Nigeria. With its advanced analytics, BATTIC will allow us to better monitor migration patterns, control border points, and prevent illegal crossings,” the CGIS added.
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