By Ibironke Ariyo
The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, says the service is intensifying sweeping reforms to eliminate corruption, strengthen transparency and build a fully digitised service system capable of meeting the expectations of Nigerians.
Nandap said this at the 4th quarter nationwide sensitisation campaign against corruption and enhanced service delivery on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event is “Innovating for Transparency and Efficiency: Strengthening Service Delivery and Combating Corruption through Reforms”.
Nandap said the NIS has expanded its digital architecture to automate major operational processes, especially passport applications and border management systems.
She said the deployment of biometric verification at borders, digital scheduling, and automated communication channels has reduced human interference, cut delays and minimised opportunities for extortion.
According to her, the digital reforms now enable citizens to initiate and track applications with clear timelines and reduced physical interaction.
She noted that in the last operational cycle, passport processing timelines improved significantly across several command centres following the rollout of automated systems.
The NIS CG said the service had also restructured service centres nationwide to prioritise speed, fairness and accountability.
She explained that clearer procedures and streamlined workflows were now in place, leading to shorter waiting periods and improved customer experience at passport offices.
To strengthen public access and reduce frustration, Nandap said the NIS now operated 24-hour call lines, functional call centres, monitored email addresses and active social media platforms.
“These channels ensure that complaints, observations and challenges are attended to promptly.
“One of the worst things that can happen to anyone is having a problem and no one is listening. We corrected that first. Citizens now have people who listen, act and provide results,” she said.
Nandap said transparency remained the foundation of the service’s ongoing reforms, adding that continuous staff training, technological upgrades and process redesigns were being implemented to sustain the gains recorded.
On anti-corruption, the CG said the NIS has strengthened enforcement of ethical codes, intensified internal audits and improved disciplinary procedures.
This, she said, was to reinforce the institutional message that corruption would not be tolerated.
She noted that digital payment systems and automated checkpoints now significantly limit cash-based interactions, helping to shut down channels for malpractice.
She said the service had also deepened collaboration with sister agencies, international partners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the diplomatic corps to support reforms and ensure widespread understanding of new systems.
“Because many stakeholders struggle with change, the NIS has conducted extensive sensitisation, on the new procedures and training staff of related agencies to navigate the updated workflows.
“These efforts have improved coordination, acceptance and operational efficiency,” she maintained.
Nandap emphasised that service delivery was a shared responsibility, urging citizens to strictly follow outlined procedures, avoid touts and rely on official NIS platforms for applications and enquiries.
She, however, said that most facilities could now be accessed from home, reducing the need for intermediaries.
Nandap encouraged Nigerians to make use of suggestion boxes, helplines and social media platforms to offer ideas on how the service could improve, saying feedback remained crucial to ongoing reforms.
She paid tribute to NIS officers who lost their lives while performing their duties in Munguno, Tuga, Luma, and other locations in Borno, Kebbi and Niger States.
She said their death in the line of duty had created a deep void and reaffirmed the service’s respect for their sacrifice.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, said innovation and technology-driven reforms have become indispensable to strengthening transparency.
Aliyu said that it had also helped by improving service delivery and combating corruption in public institutions.
The ICPC Chairman who was represented by a Director, Mr Kayode Ikupolati, said that the traditional methods of fighting corruption were no longer sufficient, adding that innovation must now be embedded in every layer of governance.
“Digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities to block loopholes, limit human discretion and provide real-time oversight of government systems,” he said.
Aliyu said that e-governance tools such as automated platforms, procurement portals, online payment systems and digital tracking mechanisms created transparent processes that shrink the spaces in which corrupt practices thrive.
He said the ICPC had been in the forefront of promoting such reforms through initiatives including the deployment of the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard.
This, he said, also included the strengthening of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), and the enhancement of monitoring tools for constituency and executive projects.
“These efforts have improved compliance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and provided evidence-based insights that support policy improvements across sectors,” he added.
The ICPC Chairman said the combined impact of innovation and reform enhances service delivery, improves compliance, reduces wastage and boosts public confidence in government institutions.
He said the efforts reinforce ICPC’s prevention-based, proactive and data-driven approach to fighting corruption.
Aliyu urged stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to institutionalising innovation as a strategic tool against corruption.
He called for continuous investment in technology, support for reforms and sustained efforts to strengthen accountability within the public sector.
He said the commission remained committed to providing leadership, technical expertise, enforcement support and a collaborative platform to help government institutions realise these objectives.
“Together, we can build an efficient and transparent public service that delivers value to citizens and leaves no room for corruption,” he said.
Representatives from SERVICOM, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Army, Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among others pledged their support for the NIS. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ICA/YMU
Edited by Yakubu Uba
