The Federal Government and the European Union (EU) have agreed to strengthen their partnership in the areas of migration management and border security.
 
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said that the Federal Government is committed to securing Nigeria’s borders, curbing irregular migration, and enhancing international cooperation, as well as advancing shared solutions in migration governance.
 
He stated this at a meeting with a delegation from the EU led by the Deputy Director of the EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, Mr Johannes Luchner, and the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, yesterday, in Abuja.  
 
The minister emphasised Nigeria’s shift from reactive to preventive measures regarding migration.
 
He said: “Irregular migration poses risks not only to Nigeria’s national reputation but also to partner countries. We are fully invested in ensuring migration is regular, orderly, and lawful.”

 As part of ongoing reforms, the minister noted significant enhancements in border control across all domains, including air, land, and maritime.
 
“Airport security has been enhanced through the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) and integration with MIDAS,” he said, noting the substantial progress made in border management.
 
He added that land border operations are being reinforced, with the recruitment of about 10,000 new personnel approved by President Bola Tinubu.

“Seven fully equipped border control posts are now operational, with plans for seven additional posts,” Dr Tunji-Ojo explained. He added that Nigeria now covers over 60 per cent of its land borders through the national e-border system.