Immigration sets 5 targets for new Comptrollers, as IGP seeks stronger partnership

By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, Kemi Nandap, has set five “non-negotiable” expectations for newly promoted Comptrollers, ordering them to lead by example, deliver measurable results, protect the Service’s integrity, embrace reforms and develop their personnel. The Inspector General of Police IGP, Olatunji Disu, also pledged the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to a stronger partnership with the Service.

Both spoke on Thursday at the decoration of 94 new Comptrollers of Immigration. A total of 106 officers were promoted, but 12 retired before the ceremony. Nandap told the officers that their new rank came with heavier demands. “Promotion is not simply a reward for what you have accomplished. It is a declaration of confidence in what you are now expected to do,” she said.

She said the rank was “a greater burden of trust” and a higher standard of conduct. “I have some expectations of you, and they are non-negotiable. First, you must lead by example. Two, you must deliver measurable results. Thirdly, protect the integrity of the service. Fourth, embrace innovation and institutional reforms. Change starts with you. Your attitude matters.

And lastly, number five, develop your people. You must build competent and motivated and disciplined teams that are capable of sustaining progress of the service”, she demanded. The Comptroller General said the expectations were not ceremonial. “They are practical standards against which your leadership should be assessed. And I urge you to personally hold yourself accountable,” she said.

She told the officers that the Service needed more than senior officers. It needs more effective leaders, Nandap said. “Corruption, extortion, abuse of office, professional negligence, and indiscipline have no place in the Nigerian immigration service we have built here. I expect every controller to demonstrate zero tolerance for misconduct. You cannot demand integrity from your subordinates while compromising your own principles”, she added.

According to her, ongoing reforms were meant to make the Service professional, intelligence-led and technologically enabled. She cited the e-Border Solution, the Border Control and Immigration Management System (BCIMS) and the e-Gates among the digital platforms being deployed. But she cautioned that technology alone would not deliver results. “Our technology, no matter how sophisticated, cannot compensate for weak leadership, poor information, indiscipline, or the lack of accountability,” she said.

She told the Comptrollers to ensure the reforms reached commands, border posts and airports. “You must take ownership of the systems entrusted to your formations. You must ensure that officers are properly trained,” she said. The Comptroller General also urged the officers to treat the public with respect. “Behind every passport application, every border crossing, every immigration inquiry, and every interaction with the public is a person who deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Do not wait for the headquarters to identify every problem before you now have to deal with the real issues. But above all, you have to be worthy of the confidence that this promotion represents,” she added. Disu, in his remarks, said the work of both agencies was tied to national security. “When the Nigerian Immigration Service shares information with other security agencies, it enhances our national security and protects our citizens,” he said.

He said the mandates of the two agencies were “interconnected,” and pointed to collaboration and intelligence sharing as areas of cooperation. “I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen this continued partnership for greater security of our country,” the IGP said.