How Immigration tend to fight corruption through e-Visa

The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS on Thursday said it was on the verge of rolling out electronic visas, a system it said would reduce inefficiency and curtail corruption.

Comptroller General of the Immigration Service CGIS, Kemi Nandap disclosed this while declaring open the 3rd Nationwide Sensitization Campaign on ensuring efficient Service Delivery through Zero Tolerance for Corruption which held at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.

She said; “The Service is on the verge of introducing an electronic visa (e-Visa) to make it easier for travelers to visit Nigeria. This online visa application process is designed to be more efficient and convenient for applicants by eliminating human contact in the application process thereby minimizing the risk of corruption”.

The event had as its theme, “Increased Digitalization and Consolidated Innovations for Efficient and Transparent Services”.

She said the anti-corruption event would also be held across all Commands and Formations of the Service.

Speaking on the various measures put in place to fight systemic corruption, the immigration boss said the recent automation of most processes in the Service has reduced human contacts and therefore the chances of corruption is now low.

While she urged the public to hold the Service accountable, Nandap also solicited useful advice, and added that where the Service has also done well, the personnel should be commended.

According to her, the NIS plays a pivotal role in National Security, Border Management, and Facilitation of regular Migration, adding that this immense responsibility implies that her actions significantly impact the image of Nigeria.

On the various anti-corruption initiatives in the Service, Nandap said; “Last year, we made a firm commitment to mitigate corruption in all its forms. It was on this basis that we engaged in an increased digitization and consolidated innovations to improve service delivery and eliminate corruption in the Service.

“One of our flagship initiatives is the Passport Automation Programme. This innovation has significantly reduced the processing time for passports, making it easier and more convenient for Nigerians to obtain their travel documents. But that is not all – our automation programme has also eliminated the opportunities for corruption that existed in the manual process, due to increased human interface.

“Another critical component of our anti-corruption strategy is the Contactless Passport Application Process. This innovation enables Nigerians to submit their applications online, eliminating physical contact with our officers. This not only makes the process more efficient but also shut out any avenue for corruption.

“The introduction of e-gates in Nigeria is a significant step towards enhancing security, streamlining airport processes, and improving overall travel experiences. These e-gates are designed to facilitate efficient and secure passenger processing, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of corruption.

“Additionally, the introduction of body cameras by the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in our operations. The use of body cameras is a solution to curb brutality, enhance evidence gathering and documentation, and rebuild public trust in the Service. It can provide firsthand evidence in criminal investigations, serving as crucial evidence in legal proceedings and helping to validate witness accounts.

“Our collaboration with Interpol is another key aspect of our anti corruption efforts. By working closely with international law enforcement agencies, we can share intelligence, best practices, and expertise to combat corruption and other transnational crimes. Moreover, I am very proud to announce that, of the only five Interpol trainers recently certified for Nigeria, an NIS Officer is among. These further boosts our efforts and commitment to stemming corruption in the system.

“In the same vein, in partnership with National Anti-corruption Agencies such as SERVICOM, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), we are strengthening internal mechanisms to ensure that our Officers imbibe the tenets of Hostmanship and Service Delivery ethics. Officers in violation of ethical standards shall face the full wrath of the law”, she added.