The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime security through the adoption of cutting-edge technology and intensive capacity building, as the Regional Maritime Security Workshop concluded in Lagos.
The workshop, which brought together maritime and border security stakeholders from across West Africa, focused on enhancing regional cooperation in the face of evolving maritime threats such as human trafficking, illegal migration, arms smuggling, and piracy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is deploying smart surveillance systems, data-driven decision-making tools, and maritime domain awareness platforms to improve border control at sea. She emphasized the need for synergy among coastal nations to effectively tackle cross-border crimes.
“The threats we face are transnational, and so must our solutions be. The Nigeria Immigration Service is investing in technology and people to ensure we stay ahead of criminals exploiting our waters,” Nandap said.
The workshop also featured simulation exercises, intelligence-sharing sessions, and high-level strategy meetings involving the Nigerian Navy, Marine Police, Nigerian Ports Authority, and international partners including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Participants agreed on the urgent need for a harmonized regional maritime security framework, improved inter-agency collaboration, and continued investment in personnel training to address security gaps along the Gulf of Guinea corridor.
Observers say the outcomes of the workshop are expected to shape Nigeria’s maritime security policy and reinforce the country’s role as a strategic anchor for regional maritime stability.