FG, IOM, Switzerland partner to strengthen migration governance

Stanley Ihedigbo

International Organization for Migration (IOM) has  launched a new programme in partnership with the Governments of Nigeria and Switzerland to enhance migration governance including border management across the country.

Spanning 24 months, the new programme will bolster the partnership between IOM and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), supporting the assessment of three of the country’s key airports (Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) Rivers, and Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos), the training of border officials in migration data management, and the deployment of key infrastructure to enhance border governance across the country.

“Today’s meeting signals the beginning of a project that promises to deliver a long-lasting impact on our national security infrastructure with the general support of the Swiss Government and the technical expertise of IOM which will focus on key areas including improved MIDAS data integration, forensic document examination and capacity building for our border personnel”, said Assistant Comptroller General ACG C.N Onuora, during the project’s inception meeting held in Abuja on 15 October.

“This project builds on the successes of previous initiatives such as the deployment of mobile MIDAS units at Seme border and the training of NIS officers on the use of forensic document examination tools. It is important to emphasize that this project is not just about upgrading our infrastructure and technology but also about equipping our officers with skills and knowledge to effectively combat transitional organized crime, enhance migration management and safeguard our borders”, she added.

“We are excited to be here to announce the launch of the border management project and our involvement in expanding the MIDAS network within Nigeria”, said  the  represented the Swiss Secretariat for Migration (SEM) at the project inception meeting, Mrs. Ojoma Ali.

Since 2015, IOM has been a key technical partner of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in strengthening migration governance, including through data collection, immigration and border management.

The partnership has enabled the Government of Nigeria to adopt the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) as the country’s primary Border Management Information System.

The MIDAS is integrated into the national ICT architecture thereby forming a centralized operational database at the international airports in the country.

“Robust partnerships are essential to harness the full potential of human mobility and strengthen migration governance”, said Senior Programme Manager for Immigration and Border Governance with IOM, Stephen Matete.

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service guided by the leadership of the CGI, to enhance border governance”.

In addition to the infrastructural assessments and evaluations, the project will contribute to improving the capacities of NIS and border officials in forensic document examination though targeted trainings.