Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has been making significant waves lately, particularly with his focus on turning the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) from a simple administrative body into a high-tech “security enabler.”
Just this week, the Minister emphasized that the government is moving toward a more transparent, QR-coded electronic visa system and an integrated digital platform for CERPAC (expatriate residency) to cut out middle-men and tighten security.
The Ministry has unveiled an AI-driven tracking system that can monitor travelers’ data over the last 10 years. Identifying and locating foreigners who have overstayed their visas. The new Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre are the “brains” behind this, allowing for real-time monitoring of border entries.
Just a few days ago, on April 11, the Minister ordered the immediate deactivation of Nigerian passports for individuals who have formally renounced their citizenship. This is part of a broader push to ensure that the Nigerian passport remains a “sanctified” document, reserved strictly for eligible citizens to prevent identity fraud.
Tunji-Ojo is positioning migration management as a tool for economic growth, not just policing by streamlining visa processes and residence permits, the government hopes to make Nigeria a more competitive destination for foreign investment.
Recent high-level meetings with officials from the UK, Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia highlight a strategy of intelligence sharing and technical support to manage regional mobility humanely but firmly.
The Minister has been very vocal about “democratizing” security and moving away from the old ways. He wants the NIS to be the “guardian of the border space,” meaning more tech on the ground and less paperwork.
While the focus is heavily on national security and technology, there’s a clear underlying message to the international community: Nigeria is open for business, but the “era of anonymity” for anyone crossing its borders is officially over.
