Nigeria and the European Union have advanced their strategic partnership on migration management and border security, as the Federal Government reaffirmed its resolve to secure the nation’s borders, curb irregular migration and strengthen international cooperation through technology-driven and preventive approaches.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the assurance while receiving the Deputy Director, 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, alongside their delegation, on a courtesy visit to his office.
In an official signed statement, the Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Mary Ali, said the Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to deepening partnership ties with the European Union in the collective pursuit of orderly, regular and lawful migration.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasised that Nigeria is determined to move away from reactive responses to migration challenges and embrace a preventive, data-driven and technology-enabled migration governance framework.
He noted that irregular migration poses risks not only to Nigeria’s national image but also to partner countries, stressing that the government is fully invested in ensuring that migration processes are properly managed and aligned with international best practices.
As part of far-reaching reforms in border management, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria has significantly strengthened control across air, land and maritime domains.
He explained that airport security has been upgraded through the deployment of the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), integration with the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), and other cutting-edge platforms, describing the development as the most substantial progress in border management recorded in over a decade.
On land border operations, Dr. Tunji-Ojo revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 10,000 additional personnel to bolster border security nationwide.
He added that seven fully equipped border control posts, supported with solar power, water supply and reliable connectivity, are now operational, while plans are underway to establish seven more.
Through the national e-border system, he said, Nigeria now covers more than 60 per cent of its land borders, as well as several island territories, significantly expanding the country’s surveillance and response capacity.
Further demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to modern border governance, the Minister announced the construction of the country’s largest public-sector data centre, with an 8.3-petabyte capacity and an off-grid solar power system.
According to him, the facility supports a state-of-the-art command and control centre for real-time surveillance and analysis, while aerial surveillance capabilities have also been expanded alongside the deployment of approximately 55 high-intensity patrol vehicles.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted that recognising Nigeria’s position as both a destination and transit hub within the ECOWAS region, the government has ensured the availability and recognition of the ECOWAS biometric identity card to strengthen traveller identification.
He also disclosed that the government has introduced the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), which enables Nigerian citizens who have lost or have expired passports to return home through a secure, biometric-verified digital platform.
Earlier, the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Kemi Nana Nandap, briefed the delegation on Nigeria’s intensified screening measures, which she said have led to a noticeable reduction in irregular migration.
She explained that the measures focus on addressing risks associated with human smuggling and trafficking, particularly among vulnerable travellers who lack clear travel purpose or adequate documentation.
In his remarks, Mr. Johannes Luchner commended Nigeria for the progress recorded in migration management, noting a measurable decline in irregular arrivals from Nigeria into the European Union.
He described Nigeria as one of the EU’s most important partners in Africa and expressed confidence that the balanced agreement and deepening cooperation framework would receive positive consideration by EU member states and the European Parliament.
Mr. Luchner also highlighted opportunities to expand operational cooperation with Europol, Frontex and other EU agencies, especially in combating human smuggling, human trafficking and transnational organised crime.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate, Dr. Tunji-Ojo described the partnership with the European Union as enduring and mutually beneficial.
“A stable Nigeria contributes to a stable European Union, just as a stable EU supports a stable Nigeria. Our futures are interconnected, and together we must build stronger political and economic ties for generations to come,” the Minister said.
He concluded by reiterating that Nigeria remains open, committed and fully engaged in advancing shared solutions that promote security, development and dignity in migration governance, as both sides continue to chart a common path toward safer borders and better-managed migration systems.
