Nigeria reaffirms commitment to ECOWAS migration, border security cooperation

…Nandap joins 11 West African immigration chiefs to adopt Freetown Declaration

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional migration governance, harmonising border management systems and facilitating legitimate movement across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

According to a statement signed on Saturday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Akinsola Akinlabi, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, gave the assurance at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA) Heads of Immigration Forum held from November 3 to 4 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The forum, which brought together heads of immigration services from 12 ECOWAS member states, alongside representatives of the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), focused on translating regional migration policies into practical actions.

With the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Deepening Regional Integration through Harmonised Migration and Border Management in ECOWAS,” the meeting examined the implementation of ECOWAS Free Movement and Trade Protocols, particularly through Integrated Border Management (IBM) and the effective deployment of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC).

Nandap said Nigeria was strengthening its commitment to regional integration through ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service, highlighting the development of the home-grown Border Control and Immigration Management System (BCIMS) as a major component of the country’s efforts.

She explained that the system provided hybrid capabilities for border control, migration operations and data management, adding that mobile verification devices linked to the platform were being deployed at border crossing points.

The CGI also disclosed that arrangements were ongoing for the issuance of the ENBIC to Nigerians in the diaspora, while stressing the need to balance the facilitation of legitimate migration with effective security measures.

According to her, security remains fundamental to sustainable national development and regional prosperity.
The meeting also reviewed recommendations from reports presented by ministers of interior and MIDWA thematic working groups, with participating countries sharing experiences and progress in implementing the biometric identity card.

However, discussions identified the lack of uniform acceptance of the ENBIC across some member states as a major challenge to its effective use within the sub-region.

The forum consequently stressed the need for the ECOWAS Commission and member states to engage transport operators and formally communicate the recognition and acceptance of the card as a valid travel document across the region.

An IOM presentation titled, “Contextualising an Integrated Border Governance Approach for West Africa,” further highlighted the need to treat borders as interconnected systems that safeguard national sovereignty while promoting mobility, economic opportunities and mutual trust.

At the end of the deliberations, the heads of immigration, ECOWAS Commission and IOM unanimously adopted and signed the Freetown Declaration, which outlines resolutions and commitments reached at the meeting.

The declaration set January 1, 2027, as the target date for implementing the agreed resolutions.

The Nigeria Immigration Service said it remained committed to strengthening regional partnerships, harmonising migration policies and advancing integrated border governance to promote secure borders and facilitate legitimate movement across the ECOWAS region.

Nigeria reaffirms commitment to ECOWAS migration, border security cooperation