Abuja: The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, announced ongoing efforts to implement comprehensive reforms aiming to eradicate corruption, enhance transparency, and establish a fully digitised service framework that aligns with the expectations of Nigerian citizens. Nandap shared these initiatives during the 4th quarter nationwide sensitisation campaign focused on anti-corruption and improved service delivery.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed ‘Innovating for Transparency and Efficiency: Strengthening Service Delivery and Combating Corruption through Reforms’, highlighted the NIS’s expansion of its digital infrastructure to automate significant operational processes, particularly in passport applications and border management. The introduction of biometric verification at borders, along with digital scheduling and automated communication channels, has reportedly reduced human interference, expedited processes, and minimized opportunities for extortion.
Nandap emphasized that these digital reforms allow citizens to initiate and monitor applications with precise timelines, thus reducing the need for physical interaction. She noted a significant improvement in passport processing times across various command centers due to the implementation of automated systems. The NIS has also restructured service centers nationwide to prioritize speed, fairness, and accountability, implementing clearer procedures and streamlined workflows to enhance customer experiences at passport offices.
To improve public access and minimize frustration, the NIS now operates 24-hour call lines, functional call centers, monitored email addresses, and active social media platforms. These channels ensure that complaints and challenges are addressed promptly, as Nandap stressed the importance of responsive communication for citizens facing issues.
Transparency remains a cornerstone of the ongoing reforms, with continuous staff training, technological upgrades, and process redesigns being implemented to maintain progress. On the anti-corruption front, Nandap noted strengthened enforcement of ethical codes, intensified internal audits, and improved disciplinary procedures to underscore a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. Digital payment systems and automated checkpoints have been introduced to limit cash-based interactions, thereby closing off potential avenues for malpractice.
The NIS has also intensified collaboration with sister agencies, international partners, civil society organizations, and the diplomatic corps to support these reforms and ensure widespread understanding of new systems. Extensive sensitization efforts have been conducted to familiarize stakeholders with updated procedures and train related agency staff, enhancing coordination and operational efficiency.
Nandap called on citizens to adhere strictly to outlined procedures, avoid intermediaries, and utilize official NIS platforms for applications and inquiries. Most facilities are now accessible from home, reducing the need for intermediaries. She encouraged Nigerians to use suggestion boxes, helplines, and social media platforms to provide feedback, which is crucial for ongoing reforms. Nandap also paid tribute to NIS officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, acknowledging their sacrifice.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), reiterated the necessity of innovation and technology-driven reforms for enhancing transparency. Represented by Director Mr. Kayode Ikupolati, Aliyu emphasized that traditional anti-corruption methods are insufficient, advocating for innovation at every governance level. He highlighted how digital transformation and e-governance tools create transparent processes that limit corruption.
Aliyu detailed ICPC’s initiatives, including the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard and the strengthening of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units, which have improved compliance across various government sectors. He stressed that innovation and reform significantly enhance service delivery, compliance, and public trust in government institutions.
Aliyu urged stakeholders to commit to institutionalizing innovation as a strategic tool against corruption, calling for continuous investment in technology and support for reforms. He affirmed the ICPC’s dedication to providing leadership, expertise, and collaborative platforms to help government institutions achieve these goals, aiming for an efficient and transparent public service that serves citizens effectively.