ABUJA — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) through its United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), has launched a three-day regional workshop focused on maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
The high-level event, which began on Monday, May 20, 2025, in Abuja, convened over 50 experts, government officials, researchers, and stakeholders from West and Central Africa. Also in attendance were representatives of UN agencies, the African Union, and other regional institutions.
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, lauded the NIS for its proactive steps in reviewing Nigeria’s Border Management Strategic Policy to address emerging security challenges in the region.
Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, KN Nandap, pcc, mmis, fsmn, in her remarks, described the workshop’s theme as timely. She stressed the urgency of tackling maritime threats such as piracy, terrorism, illicit arms trafficking, and human smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea.
She emphasized the importance of advanced border surveillance, interagency coordination, and efficient document control as key strategies for maritime border security. Nandap reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to international frameworks including AIMS 2050 and the ECOWAS Gulf of Guinea strategy.
The workshop aims to boost regional cooperation and enhance national strategies through the adoption of the updated 2022 Compendium of Good Practices for Maritime Border Management in the Context of Counter-Terrorism. Participants are expected to share insights, identify policy gaps, and strengthen collective responses to maritime terrorist threats.
The initiative underscores Nigeria’s resolve to lead regional efforts in securing maritime borders and combating transnational organized crime in line with global best practices.
