The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has called for strengthening the legal and operational frameworks to support its increasing deployment of technology to secure Nigeria’s borders and improve service delivery.

The comptroller-general, NIS, Kemi Nandap, made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Law Week of the NIS organised by the service’s legal unit.

Ms Nandap, represented by the deputy comptroller general (DCG) on human resource management, Afolayan Ayeni, said the law week, the first in the history of the NIS, marked a significant milestone in institutional development.

The NIS CG described the event theme, “Leveraging Technology and Strengthening Legal-Operational Framework for a Secure and Efficient Immigration Service,” as timely, noting that it reflected the realities of modern border management.

She highlighted recent technological advances by the service, including improvements in the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and the deployment of digital surveillance tools at border posts.

Others, she said, were the installation of e-gates at international airports and the implementation of Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems.

According to her, these innovations represent significant investments aimed at protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring efficient service delivery to both Nigerians and foreigners.

Ms Nandap, however, said the gains recorded must be supported by robust legal frameworks to ensure full compliance with the rule of law, standard operating guidelines and international best practices.

The NIS boss reaffirmed the service’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability, saying the NIS must continue to balance border security with respect for legal processes and citizens’ rights.

“While technology has enhanced immigration operations, it has also created new vulnerabilities, particularly in cybersecurity and the facilitation of transnational crimes such as smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons.

“Addressing these emerging threats requires updated laws, stronger legal-operational synergy, and continuous capacity building for officers,” she said.

Ms Nandap further assured that the service would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to investigate, prosecute, and prevent cyber-enabled and cross-border crimes.

She described the law week as a platform for institutional reflection, urging officers to leverage the training sessions and sensitisation programmes to strengthen their professional competence.

In her welcome remarks, NIS director of legal service, Oluwatoyin Yusuf, stressed that immigration operations must continuously adapt to technological advancements and emerging global challenges.

Ms Yusuf emphasised the need for immigration officers to be equipped with up-to-date technological knowledge, sound judgment, and strong legal and ethical standards to discharge their duties effectively.

She described the law week as a vital platform for reflection, learning, and professional engagement, adding that the legal services unit intends to institutionalise the law week as an annual event to help shape policy direction, promote best practices and nurture a new generation of legally and technologically astute immigration officers.

(NAN)