President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commended the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his transformative leadership and innovative strides in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
The president made the remarks during the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex at the NIS Headquarters Tuesday in Abuja.
The Technology Innovation Complex, named after the President is expected to play a central role in advancing national security, driving efficiency in immigration services, and fostering stronger ties within the ECOWAS region.
The state-of-the-art complex includes several critical components such as a Data Centre with an 8.3-petabyte capacity, a Command and Control Centre, and a Visa Approval Centre (VAC).
Blueprint reports that these installations are expected to enhance internal security, improve the ease of doing business, and promote regional travel and trade.
At the commissioning, President Tinubu specifically praised Tunji-Ojo for his refusal to accept the status quo and for spearheading reforms that have bolstered Nigeria’s reputation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and beyond.
The President also highlighted the Minister’s pivotal role in establishing the ECOWAS Card Centre, a facility aimed at enhancing regional integration and cooperation.
“You have given this country a great reputation, not just within ECOWAS and Africa,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu further lauded the minister’s efforts in modernizing immigration processes, including the introduction of E-gates at international airports and a streamlined visa application system.
These innovations, he said, reflect the administration’s commitment to its #RenewedHope agenda and its vision of positioning Nigeria as a leader in digital transformation and regional collaboration.
Speaking, Interior minister, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the idea of the Technology Innovation Complex was first mooted 18 years ago, but due to rivalry among some agencies and the lack of political will to see the idea to fruition, the complex could not be built.
On his part, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo SAN said he and his Interior counterpart on assumption of office resolved to tackle interagency rivalry and deliver a world-class project for the benefit of Nigerians.
Earlier, the Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap said the complex is more than just a building, but a bold step in modernizing immigration infrastructure, and a powerful tool in NIS’ ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, manage migration effectively, and enhance national security.
“Additionally, BATTIC is a multi-faceted complex comprising several critical components that will play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s security and migration management. These include the Command-and-Control Centre for Regular Migration; the NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre; the Interior Data Centre; the Passport Personalization Centre; the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre; and, the 0.5KW Solar Farm.
“Each of these components has been meticulously designed to meet international standards, ensuring that Nigeria not only catches up with global trends but becomes a leader in the management of migration data.
“At the heart of BATTIC’s mission is its ability to manage and analyze varying levels of data efficiently, using state-of-the-art technology. Allow me to highlight some of the key functions and capabilities of this remarkable facility:
“Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Analysis: This enables us to assess the risk levels of passengers even before they arrive in Nigeria or depart from their country of origin.
“Identification of Suspicious Travel Patterns: By analyzing travel data, we can detect anomalies that may indicate potential security threats.
“24/7 Surveillance: The complex will support real-time video surveillance to monitor unmanned border areas across the federation, ensuring a constant watch on border activities.
“Integrated Communication Platform: BATTIC will facilitate seamless communication across all levels—from Border Patrol Units to Border Control Posts, State Commands, the Service Headquarters, and the Ministry of Interior.
“Cross-Referencing with National and International Watchlists: Data will be cross-checked against various national and global security databases, including INTERPOL, to ensure no security threats slip through the cracks.
“In essence, BATTIC will serve as the central hub for our digital infrastructure, dramatically enhancing our surveillance capabilities, streamlining migration management, and strengthening our national security framework.
“Operationalizing the Solutions in this facility will enhance migration management in Nigeria. With its advanced analytics, BATTIC will allow us to better monitor migration patterns, control border points, and prevent illegal crossings”, the CGIS added.
