New Immigration Centre Will Drive Economic Growth, Enhance Security Says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), a facility established by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to enhance Nigeria’s security infrastructure, streamline the ease of doing business, and attract investors.

The Centre was commissioned in Abuja on Tuesday, where the President acknowledged the Ministry of Interior’s achievements and commended the recent advancements in passport issuance and immigration services. He reiterated that improvements in these areas would significantly enhance Nigeria’s economic prospects by facilitating ease of entry and exit for individuals and businesses.

The President stressed the importance of technology and innovation as tools for driving Nigeria’s economic growth and societal transformation.

“As a nation with over 200 million people and a leader in Africa, we must embrace technology, change, and innovation to create opportunities that benefit the broader population,” Tinubu noted.

President Tinubu highlighted the strategic importance of the Complex in integrating security across air, land, and sea. “If we rejig Immigration as we have done, the economic opportunities and ease of movement will tremendously benefit Nigerians and international visitors alike,”

The President commended the collaboration among government agencies that led to the successful completion of the complex, describing it as a testament to what coordinated efforts and dedication can achieve for the nation.

In her address, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Services, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will ascertain the risk level of persons entering the country, detect irregular migration patterns and monitor unmanned borders in hard-to-reach areas nationwide.

She said the facilities are setting the benchmark to use technology to secure our borders and ensure the security of the nation.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, attributed the success of the project to President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and unwavering support. “This project is a testament to your vision for a prosperous Nigeria. It resolves the huge costs associated with archiving data across different government agencies, ensuring efficiency and cost savings,” 

“Our dream of a secure nation is becoming a reality, and I want to appreciate all our technical partners, as well as other government parastatals such as the Ministry of Aviation, DSS, ONSA, ICRC, NCIA, who contributed immensely to make this possible.

What started 12 months ago is now a landmark at the NIS Headquarters and will drive our agenda to stamp out challenges arising from insecurity along our vast borders.

According to the NIS, the Complex commissioned by the President comprises four different technological centers which is part of the administration’s drive to modernize digital innovation in transforming key Security Agencies.

These include:

• The Command-and-Control Centre managed the API and Passenger Name Record (PNR) and the newly installed e-gates at the 5 international airports in the country.
• Nigeria Immigration Service Data Center – which is the central repository of data related to the activities of the Service will collate every data arising services exchange with the public and store them for easy reference to guide in planning and decision making.

• The ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Centre– which is established for the production of standard and secured Biometric Cards for all ECOWAS citizens. This helps in preventing counterfeiting and frauds that are capable of endangering National Security.
• Interior Data Centre, which is the frontline Centre that facilitates real-time monitoring and surveillance of border activities using advanced technologies such as CCTV, drones, and sensors; coordinates communication as well as response teams in the event of Border security breaches for optimal success.