Federal Government has called on global partners to leverage data sharing and effective collaboration to tackle Organised Immigration Crime (OIC). Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the call at the ongoing Border Security Summit in Lancaster House, London, hosted by UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

Tunji-Ojo said information and data sharing among countries would be strategic in enhancing effective border control, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Babatunde.

The minister advocated stronger collaboration among nations in the Sahel and West African sub-region to improve international partnerships and information dissemination. He said: “We need more data sharing and better collaborations to ensure we not only address the problem, but also prevent it from occurring.

“Organised Immigration Crime is not an isolated issue; it is a shared problem and, therefore, requires shared solutions.”

According to him, Nigeria is committed to working with other nations because government is concerned about the damaging impacts of border crimes and has been implementing strategies to combat it.

He listed some of the government’s strategies to include the development of a border control solution, describing Nigeria as a destination and transit country.

Another government effort, according to him, is the automated border security measure to enhance monitoring and prevent irregular migration. Tunji-Ojo added that since assuming office, President Bola Tinubu had invested significantly in migration management and frameworks to address trans-border crime and irregular migration.

The London Summit features representatives from approximately 40 countries and aims to foster global collaboration in addressing escalating threat by OICs globally.