By Balarabe Oshiafi
The federal government of Nigeria has advocated stronger cooperation among Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states to improve migration governance, border security and free movement across the region.
The Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, made the call at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA) Heads of Immigration Forum in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The meeting, held from November 3 to 4, brought together heads of immigration services from 12 ECOWAS member states, the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to discuss regional migration and border management.
Nandap highlighted Nigeria’s progress in implementing the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card through its locally developed Border Control and Immigration Management System.
She said the system supports border operations and migration management, while mobile verification tools linked to it were being deployed at border crossing points.
Nandap added that the issuance of biometric identity cards to Nigerians in the diaspora was ongoing.
The Comptroller-General stressed the need to balance legitimate movement across borders with effective security measures.
She said Nigeria’s immigration reforms were designed to strengthen regional integration in line with the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols.
Participants also discussed ways to harmonise the acceptance of the biometric identity card across member states.
They urged the ECOWAS Commission to engage transport operators and raise awareness about the card’s recognition as a valid regional travel document.
The forum ended with the adoption and signing of the Freetown Declaration, which outlines commitments by member states, the ECOWAS Commission and the IOM.
ExpressDay Newspaper reports that January 1, 2027, has been agreed upon as the day of commencement of the implementation of this declaration.
