Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Comptroller-General of Immigration, CGI KN Nandap, pcc, fsmn, participated in the 10th Annual MIDWA Heads of Immigration Forum held from 3rd to 4th November 2026 at, Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone. The Forum, themed “From Policy to Practice: Deepening Regional Integration through Harmonized Migration and Border Management in ECOWAS,” brought together Heads of Immigration from twelve ECOWAS Member States, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to deliberate on regional cooperation, migration governance and integrated border management. This was contained in a statement signed by DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters, Abuja.
The forum deliberated on the implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement and Trade Protocols, with particular emphasis on transitioning from policy commitments to practical implementation through an Integrated Border Management (IBM) system and the effective deployment of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC).
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service, CGI KN Nandap, pcc, fsmn, in her remarks reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation through the progressive reforms of the Nigeria Immigration Service, aimed at strengthening regional integration in accordance with the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocols. She highlighted Nigeria’s progress in implementing the ENBIC through the home-developed Border Control and Immigration Management System (BCIMS), which provides hybrid functionality across border and migration operations and data management. She further disclosed that mobile verification tools connected to the BCIMS are being deployed at Border Crossing Points, while diaspora-focused issuance of the ENBIC is also in progress. The CGI emphasized the importance of balancing migration facilitation and security, noting that security remains fundamental to sustainable national and regional prosperity.
Further discussions also reviewed recommendations drawn from the reports presented by the Ministers of Interior and the MIDWA Thematic Working Groups. The Heads of Immigration shared experiences on the progress made by their respective countries in implementing the ENBIC, highlighting common challenges, particularly the lack of uniform acceptance of the card across some Member States. The Forum further emphasized the need for the ECOWAS Commission and Member States to engage transport operators and formally notify them of the recognition and acceptance of the ENBIC as a travel document within the ECOWAS region.
The Forum also featured a presentation by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), titled “Contextualizing an Integrated Border Governance Approach for West Africa’’. The presentation highlighted the importance of viewing borders as interconnected systems that protect national sovereignty while enabling mobility, opportunity and trust.
The Forum concluded with the Heads of Immigration, the ECOWAS Commission and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) unanimously adopting and signing the “Freetown Declaration.” The Declaration captures the resolutions and commitments agreed upon at the meeting, and sets 1st January, 2027 as the target date for their implementation.
The Nigeria Immigration Service reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional partnerships, harmonizing migration policies and deepening integrated border governance to advance secure borders, facilitate legitimate movement across the ECOWAS region.
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