ABUJA: The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has urged stronger collaboration among security agencies, technology experts, and development partners to protect the nation’s digital identity systems, migration data, and critical data infrastructure against rising cyber threats.
Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, made the call on Thursday at the flag-off of the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign of the Service, themed “Securing Our World: Building a Cyber-Ready Nigeria Immigration Service.”
Declaring the campaign open on behalf of the Comptroller-General, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Works and Logistics, A.J. Umanah, warned that cybercrime had evolved into a major national-security threat capable of undermining governance, economic stability, and public trust.
“The rise of cyber threats in recent years shows that cybersecurity is not just a technical concern. It is a national-security issue, an economic priority, and a moral obligation to protect citizens’ trust,” she said.
Umanah noted that the global escalation of cyber attacks targeting identity and migration data makes it imperative for Nigeria to build a cyber-ready Immigration Service capable of defending its digital assets and the personal information of millions of citizens.
She explained that the NIS occupies a central position in Nigeria’s identity-management and border-security architecture, maintaining vast databases of biometric, personal, and travel information.
“Our databases hold critical information on the movement, identity, and statehood of millions. A single breach could have far-reaching consequences for national security, international relations, and public confidence,” she cautioned.
With the digitization of core operations such as the e-Passport, e-Visa, and e-Border Management platforms, Umanah stressed that cybersecurity has become integral to Nigeria’s sovereignty and border integrity.
She commended the Service’s creation of an ICT and Cybersecurity Directorate, headed by DCG Augusta Obianunu, describing it as a major step toward institutional readiness and digital defense.
However, she emphasized that technology alone cannot guarantee safety, noting that human integrity remains the first line of defense.
“Every officer, regardless of rank or post, is either a gatekeeper or a weak link in the chain of security. Integrity in the digital domain is as vital as integrity at the border post,” Umanah said.
She urged all NIS formations to integrate cybersecurity awareness into their daily routines, internal audits, and staff briefings, while strictly enforcing data-protection policies and responsible digital conduct.
“Let this seminar not be a routine event but a turning point. Cybersecurity is no longer an ICT issue—it is a collective operational mandate,” she added.
Umanah disclosed that the Service is implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to strengthen internal cybersecurity governance, build capacity through continuous training, deepen inter-agency collaboration—especially with defense and security institutions—invest in secure digital infrastructure that meets international standards, and institutionalize data protection and privacy compliance in line with national and global frameworks.
She reiterated that cyber threats transcend borders and institutions, calling for a united front among government agencies, academia, and the private sector.
“Together, we are building not just a smarter country, but a safer one,” she declared.
Earlier, DCG Augusta Obanime, head of the ICT and Cybersecurity Directorate, said the growing sophistication of cyber attacks demands a culture of constant vigilance across all levels of governance.
She said participants at the campaign launch would receive practical training in cyber hygiene, threat analysis, forensics, and digital ethics to enable them act as first responders in detecting and mitigating cyber risks.
“Cyber threats grow by the day. We must foster a culture of vigilance and responsible data use across the Service,” Obanime said.
The 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign forms part of Nigeria’s participation in the Global Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and will feature workshops, simulations, and training sessions across NIS formations nationwide to strengthen national-identity protection and digital resilience.
