Abidjan: The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has urged the establishment of a unified database system among the members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure a secure border and migration system. Tunji-Ojo emphasized this need during a meeting with ministers responsible for Immigration and Border Management within ECOWAS member states in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, as monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister highlighted the absence of a structured database management system, advocating for an integrated platform. Tunji-Ojo stated, “What we can do realistically is to create an integrated platform where we can integrate all these solutions and be able to share them.” He further explained that the current practice of issuing cards and training individuals to identify and detect fraudulent cards undermines technological capabilities. The minister noted that QR-coding is intended to facilitate easy verification of documents.
Tunji-Ojo argued that a unified database could serve as a reliable source of truth for visas, residency, and other processes. He emphasized that an information system would eliminate the need to gather data from scratch, advocating instead for data integration on a sub-regional basis to create a supranational database.
The minister also addressed the importance of prioritizing funding for border management, suggesting that allocations should align with each country’s specific border realities. He stated, “I will advise that we shouldn’t be specific to say this percentage is for national border. For some countries, there are other things that are more context than others.”
Regarding educational aspects, Tunji-Ojo advocated for a decentralized approach to capacity building across West Africa, suggesting that decentralization would enhance efficiency and viability. He also called for a review of the yellow paper card travel requirement, proposing exemptions for specific regions.
Tunji-Ojo stressed the importance of continuous collaboration, peer reviews, and meetings among ministers of interior and political leaders in internal security management. He noted that weaknesses in one country could impact others, underscoring the need for shared opinions and cooperative efforts.
NAN reports that the meeting was prompted by a series of technical consultations in 2024 and 2025 by ECOWAS and other stakeholders on strengthening regional migration governance. In 2025, three regional assessments were conducted on migration data collection and management, border management, migration, environment, and climate change.