Nigeria adopts advanced checks to block globally wanted migrants – Interior Ministry

Federal Government says it has perfected operations to checkmate globally wanted migrants from entering Nigeria.

Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior who spoke in Lagos on Thursday, said Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) can now analyse details of those wishing to enter the Country before they arrive to stop those on wanted list globally.

The permanent secretary spoke on ‘Deconstructing the Immigration and Border management governance and policy reforms in Nigeria ‘ at an International Roundtable organised by Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Nigeria Immigration Service as a measure of improving business environment and security in Nigeria.

She said real-time analytics improve database decision-making to prevent threats, adding: “I want to say that today in Nigeria, you cannot just come into the county if you are on wanted list”.

She listed reforms in the Immigration Service that had improved services overtime. They include removing ambiguity on requirements, e-passports, e-gates, and simplifying processes through technology to improve immigration services and efficiency.

According to her, another advantage of e-visa is to deter advanced criminal techniques, be it cyber-crimes, drone-enabled trafficking and fraudulent practices.

She revealed that “after e-visa came into operation on September 1, 2025, the country found out that over 300 people would have entered Nigeria unnoticed if we did not have the technology.

“And we asked ourselves what had happened before September 1, 2025”. According to her, the cornerstone of digital reforms already exists. She said the National Identity Management Commission, through National Identification Number system provides a robust base to launch comprehensive reforms.

She said the Nigerian border governance agenda stands at a crossroad between aspiration and necessity.

Stating that Nigerian borders can serve as African prototype, Ajani said it is time to redefine our borders not as boundaries but as gateway to prosperity, innovation and opportunity to transform aspirations into actions and challenges into actions.

In his speech, Ola Awakan, Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, appreciated the theme as timely and fundamental to Nigeria’s economic transformation and global position.

Represented by his manager, he said” Tourism thrives on access, efficiency and trust”, stating that the effectiveness of immigration and border management systems significantly shapes a nation’s attractiveness as a destination.

Others, who spoke, including Adeola Ajayi, Director General of DSS who was also represented by his officer and Eghosa Osaghae, Director General of NIIA called for inter-agency cooperation, private sector and communities involvement to effectively police and manage the ast Nigerian borders.

Speaking earlier, Sheriff Balogun, National President of NACC, said though the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration had charted an ambitious course – accelerated growth, structural reforms and positioning Nigeria as Africa’s preferred FDI destination -, but the agenda needs fully functional immigration architecture to succeed.

‘’Every FDI dollar we seek requires investors whose executives can enter Nigeria without delay. Every tourism naira requires a visitor who felt welcomed, not obstructed. Every growth requires people, goods and capital to move through borders that are professional, digitized and efficient”, Balogun said.

He said Nigeria had never lacked potential but what is missing is the will to build systems. He hopes for better systems for businesses to thrive.