International Organisation for Migration, (IOM) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), have launched a Reference and Training Center to address challenges faced by immigration personnel in the implementation of IOM’s Immigration Border Governance (IBG) strategy for the facilitation of orderly, safe and regular migration and mobility.

IOM’s Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, said that the launch of the centre is a significant milestone for Nigeria in supporting modern border management and security and according to him, the launch of the Center will ensure continuous training and capacity to enable officers to receive timely training on the use of the system.

He pointed out that with the assistance of international partners, the NIS has been able to equip 5 international airports, 30 land borders, 4 sea borders, 8 state commands and the NIS headquarters with the Migration Information and Data Analysis System, (MIDAS) which makes Nigeria the largest MIDAS architecture in the entire world.

The IOM Chief explained that the establishment of 14 secondary inspection centres across Nigeria’s international airports and the drafting of a Standard Operating Procedure by the NIS shows the commitment of the Service as a key law enforcement agency and commends the government of Nigeria for its adaptation of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System, (MIDAS), as its border management information system with the support of international partners such as the European Union, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America,” he said.

Comptroller General of NIS Idris Isah, said that as a 21st-century organisation, the NIS not only gives prominence to issues of migration and border governance but has also made it a challenge to keep in trend with global practice.

He said that Nigeria is not immune to some of the migration challenges facing other countries of the world but has continued to confront these challenges with support from the federal government.

Appreciating its development partners, Idris assured that the agency will put into good use the facilities provided in the centre to ensure personnel are well-versed in the implementation of the IBG.