Lagos: The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have urged the media to enhance public awareness about the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC). At a Media Sensitisation Workshop on ENBIC held in Lagos, both organizations emphasized that accurate dissemination of information is crucial to the initiative’s success.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the ENBIC is a secure digital travel credential designed to replace the old paper-based ECOWAS travel certificate. The new system aims to facilitate safer and more predictable movement of people across West Africa, thus strengthening regional integration. The workshop, which gathered officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), ECOWAS institutions, development partners, and media professionals, aimed to deepen understanding of the card, its implementation process, institutional responsibilities, and its implications for regional citizens.
Ali Ibrahim, Head of IOM Suboffice in Lagos, praised Nigeria for the successful inauguration of ENBIC in 2025, marking it as a significant milestone in the country’s implementation of regional integration instruments. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and contributes to the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Ibrahim commended the ECOWAS Commission for its role in supporting Member States in implementing this regional initiative and assured continued support through the Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa Phase II (FMM II) Project.
Ibrahim underscored the media’s role in communicating the objectives and practical implications of the biometric identity card. He urged journalists to provide balanced and informed coverage, focusing on both opportunities and security measures related to free movement. He also encouraged reporting on the experiences of communities directly affected by regional mobility to help citizens understand their rights and responsibilities.
Obinna Ajugwo from the Border Management ECOWAS Commission highlighted the importance of the workshop, noting that it comes at a critical moment in the journey towards a more connected and secure ECOWAS sub-region. According to Ajugwo, Nigeria is the seventh ECOWAS country to operationalize ENBIC, following Benin, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. He emphasized that the success of the initiative relies not only on technology but also on trust and accurate information dissemination, where the media plays an indispensable role.
Bennett Chiagoro, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, ECOWAS and other travel documents NIS HQ Abuja, stressed the importance of media in educating citizens about ENBIC. He noted that misinformation at entry points benefits no one, making the media’s role crucial for the project’s success. Chiagoro disclosed that the official fees for acquiring the ENBIC are N35,500, including bank charges.