NIS, UNODC, Italy Join Forces to Strengthen Immigration Operations

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Government of Italy have deepened cooperation through a project to equip the NIS with vehicles and computers to strengthen the operational capacity of the Service.

UNODC is implementing the initiative with financial support from the Government of Italy, through the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Public Security -Central Directorate for Immigration and Border Police (DCIPF).

⁠The 18-month project will equip the Nigeria Immigration Service with 30 operational vehicles and 60 computers to strengthen border surveillance and control.

The intervention is aimed at boosting the presence and operational effectiveness of NIS personnel at remote and high-risk border locations.

In a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the project was officially flagged off on Thursday, 24th September 2026, at the United Nations House, Abuja, during a high-level meeting convened by UNODC.

Speaking at the event, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, expressed gratitude to the Government of Italy and UNODC for their sustained support in strengthening the capacity of the Service.

She stated that the provision of operational vehicles and computers would boost the Service’s mobility, surveillance capability, digital infrastructure, and overall operational efficiency, especially at remote and high-risk border locations.

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s drive to strengthen border management and institutional capacity.

In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Cheikh Toure, noted that the presence of the high-level dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony reflected the importance attached to the project and its significance to Nigeria.

He emphasised that the project is designed to help close existing mobility and technology gaps within Nigeria’s border management system.

The Service reiterates its commitment to ensuring the judicious use of the equipment and to leveraging the support to further enhance Nigeria’s Border Management system, national security, and the promotion of safe, orderly, and regular migration.