Mrs. Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has been appointed Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Immigration Forum.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kenneth Udo, announced this in Abuja on Tuesday in a statement.
Udo said the milestone was achieved during the ECOWAS Heads of Immigration Forum’s recent gathering in Banjul, Gambia, where representatives from 13 member states convened to tackle pressing migration and mobility issues.
He said that the meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and abolishing the 90-day stay limit/residence permits for community citizens.
He stated that ENBIC aimed to replace the ECOWAS Travel Certificate and Residence Permit, allowing for easier movement, residence, and business across the region without compromising national security.
The spokesman quoted the CG as emphasising the need for expedited policy implementation to foster regional integration and socio-economic progress.
She acknowledged the progress made so far while highlighting current challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and border security concerns, all of which have been exacerbated by expansive borders.
She called for a coordinated and harmonised approach to border management and immigration practices across the region to ensure both security and protection of citizens’ rights.
The workshop came to a close when the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government adopted a roadmap to gradually implement the agreed-upon pillars and realize Act SA.1/7/14.
The forum also agreed to collaborate with the previously established Border Management Thematic Working Group.
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