NIS boss, Nandap emerges chairperson ECOWAS heads of Immigration forum

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of Immigration Forum has elected Nigeria’s Kemi Nandap as its chairperson.

Spokesman of the Immigration Service, Kenneth Udo, a Deputy Comptroller, who made the disclosure, said that the organisation recently converged in Banjul, Gambia, to dialogue with the aim of addressing migration and mobility challenges in the sub-region.

According to him, the meeting, which saw the emergence of Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration (CGIS) as chairperson, was well attended by 13 members, excluding Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

The theme of the annual meeting, “Acceleration of the Implementation of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) and the Abolishment of the 90-Day Stay Limit/Residence Permits for Community Citizens,” focused on the introduction of the ENBIC to replace the ECOWAS Travel Certificate and Residence Permit.

The statement said: “This new biometric card is aimed at facilitating easier movement, residence, and the right to do business across the region without compromising the national security of individual member states.”

In her opening address, Nandap stressed the need for member states to expedite the implementation of these policies, which are key to fostering regional integration and socio-economic progress.

She said, “The abolition of the 90-day stay limit, along with the deployment of the ENBIC, will significantly strengthen free movement, residence, and establishment rights for ECOWAS citizens.”

While acknowledging the strides made so far, CGIS Nandap also noted current challenges such as irregular migration, human trafficking, and border security concerns, which have been exacerbated by expansive borders.

She called for a coordinated and harmonised approach to border management and immigration practices across the region to ensure both security and the protection of citizens’ rights.

He added: “The workshop concluded with the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of agreed pillars (8) to be progressively pursued in the realisation of the Act SA.1/7/14, being a decision of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. The forum agreed to work with the existing Border Management Thematic Working Group earlier established.”