The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has restated its commitment towards providing effective border security.

Kemi Nandap, the comptroller-general of the service, disclosed this at the closing of the NIS National Conference on Saturday in Jos.

Ms Nandap said effective border management was key to tackling insecurity and added that it would promote social and economic growth in the country.

She explained that the conference had afforded the service, alongside its partners and other stakeholders, the opportunity to brainstorm toward ensuring better service delivery.

“This conference is basically to assess the current state and preparedness of the NIS to meet its statutory mandate by identifying emerging challenges and opportunities in border governance and migration management.

“The conference resolved that NIS shall sustain the deployment of relevant cutting-edge technology to improve border security and migration management through automated visa issuance and passport application processes,” said Ms Nandap.

She said the NIS would develop a plan that aligns with the federal government’s initiatives on foreign direct investments to attract improved funding.

“We will also restructure and improve operations at the divisional immigration offices in all the 774 local government areas to strengthen intelligence gathering and proactive engagement with border communities in Nigeria,” she said.

The comptroller general also promised to re-engineer and develop a strategic plan to stimulate professionalism, patriotism, discipline and seamless service delivery.

She explained that the move was in line with the tenets of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The NIS boss promised to prioritise the welfare of personnel, particularly in remuneration and regular training, to boost professionalism in the service.

Declaring the conference close, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, thanked NIS for choosing the state for the conference.

Mr Mutfwang promised continuous support and collaboration with NIS in its drive to tackle irregular migration and promote border security.

 The “Enhancing Border Security and Migration Management in a Globalised World: Challenges and Opportunities for Nigeria” began on October 30.

(NAN)