Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, has announced that the Ministry’s newly established Command and Control Centre, aimed at preventing the illegal entry of foreign nationals into Nigeria, is now fully operational.
Gists9ja reports that speaking during his appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, on Tuesday, Tunji-Ojo confirmed that the centre has been running 24/7 since its launch on Monday.
This initiative follows the federal government’s earlier announcement on October 28 about the establishment of a comprehensive control centre designed to monitor and regulate irregular migration. According to the minister, the primary function of this centre is to conduct thorough screening of individuals entering Nigeria, especially via the country’s land borders.
Tunji-Ojo provided more details on the recent developments, explaining that the induction programme for the centre’s operations was completed about two weeks ago. “Just yesterday, we began the 24-hour operation of the command and control centre at Soka, which is the immigration headquarters in Abuja,” he stated.
The Minister emphasized that the scope of the control centre’s surveillance goes beyond just air travel. “All our international airports are connected to this system, and it’s fully operational. Even our land and sea borders are now integrated into the platform, forming a part of our broader strategy for controlling irregular migration,” he said.
A key component of the system, which Tunji-Ojo had previously discussed, is the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS). He revealed that the system is now live and actively receiving data from airlines like KLM and several others. This data feeds into a broader system that helps authorities pre-profile individuals before they even set foot in Nigeria.
“We are now able to analyze information such as the travel history, current location, origin, and movements of individuals, before they arrive in the country,” the minister explained. He further clarified that the process is now based on objective profiling, making it more effective and precise. “This is no longer subjective profiling; it’s an objective approach, similar to the systems used globally,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that the new system, referred to as an Interactive Advanced Passenger Information System (IAPI), is cutting-edge and on par with the best in the world. “This IAPI system is top-tier, and I challenge anyone to dispute its quality. We’ve already set up a highly advanced system in Nigeria,” he affirmed.
The Minister also discussed the technical side of the operation, stating that everything from the command centre to the visa approval systems has been meticulously designed to ensure smooth operations. In a bid to ensure uninterrupted functionality, the ministry has installed a 500kW and a 0.5MW solar farm to power the control centre without relying on the national grid. This step underscores the commitment to maintaining continuous operations and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s border security mechanisms.
Through these efforts, the Nigerian government aims to create a more secure and controlled environment at all entry points, reinforcing the country’s commitment to tackling irregular migration and enhancing national security.
