By Gabriel Ameh
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Kemi Nandap, has warned newly promoted comptrollers against corruption, extortion, indiscipline and abuse of office, insisting that their new positions come with greater responsibility and higher standards of accountability.
Nandap gave the warning on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of 106 newly promoted comptrollers at the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
Of the 106 officers promoted, 94 were decorated at the ceremony, while 12 had already retired.
The Immigration boss said the service would not tolerate misconduct, professional negligence or any action capable of undermining public confidence in the institution.
“Corruption, extortion, abuse of office, professional negligence, and indiscipline have no place in the Nigerian Immigration Service we are building,” she said.
She urged the newly promoted officers to enforce discipline within their commands and ensure that personnel under their supervision understood the consequences of violating professional standards.
Nandap described the promotions as more than recognition of past achievements, saying they represented increased expectations and a renewed responsibility to serve the country.
She charged the officers to move beyond routine administration and demonstrate leadership through sound decisions, effective supervision and measurable results.
According to her, the service needs leaders who can translate their positions into meaningful institutional improvements rather than simply occupy senior offices.
Nandap Sets Five Expectations for Newly Promoted Officers
The Comptroller-General identified five key expectations for the newly promoted comptrollers: leading by example, delivering measurable results, protecting the integrity of the service, embracing institutional reforms and investing in the development of junior personnel.
She stressed that officers must demonstrate the same integrity and discipline they expect from their subordinates.
Nandap also challenged the comptrollers to build commands recognised for efficiency, professionalism, accountability and respectful treatment of members of the public.
“The authority of your rank may compel obedience, but it is the integrity of your character that earns genuine respect,” she said.
She further urged them to invest in mentoring younger officers, noting that their lasting contribution to the service would also be measured by the quality of leaders they develop.
Immigration Service Pushes Technology-Driven Border Reforms
Nandap said the Nigeria Immigration Service was undergoing significant institutional transformation through technology-driven initiatives aimed at strengthening border management and improving service delivery.
She listed ongoing reforms to include the e-Border solution, Border Control and Immigration Management System, Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record system, e-Gates and Electronic Visa Administration.
According to her, these initiatives are repositioning the service as an intelligence-led and technologically enabled institution.
However, she cautioned that technology alone could not guarantee success without effective leadership, proper supervision, discipline and accountability.
She directed the newly promoted comptrollers to ensure that the reforms were implemented across commands, border posts, airports and other operational formations.
Nandap said the investments must translate into stronger border security, more efficient immigration processes, improved intelligence coordination and better experiences for travellers.
She also reminded officers that their duties involve interactions with members of the public who deserve dignity, fairness and respect.
According to her, national security and professional service delivery must work together rather than be treated as competing responsibilities.
IGP Disu Reaffirms Police-Immigration Security Partnership
Speaking at the ceremony, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Disu described both agencies as important partners in protecting Nigeria’s national security and citizens, stressing that their responsibilities require sustained cooperation.
He said intelligence sharing, mutual support and effective inter-agency coordination were essential to addressing security challenges.
The police chief congratulated the newly promoted comptrollers, describing their elevation as recognition of their dedication, professionalism and years of service.
He urged them to approach their new responsibilities with integrity, discipline and humility while inspiring officers under their supervision to perform better.
Disu also acknowledged the contributions of the officers’ spouses, describing them as important partners in their professional journeys.
Thursday’s ceremony was attended by representatives of other security and government institutions, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service and the Ministry of Interior.
NIS Records Thousands of Promotions Under Nandap
The Human Resources Directorate of the Nigeria Immigration Service had earlier disclosed that thousands of officers had benefited from promotions under Nandap’s leadership.
The figures included 8,502 officers promoted from Assistant Inspector III to Assistant Inspector I, 75 from Assistant Inspector II, and hundreds of others across different ranks.
The latest decoration ceremony highlights the service’s efforts to strengthen its leadership structure while placing greater emphasis on professionalism, accountability and improved operational performance.
For the newly promoted comptrollers, Nandap said their new ranks must be reflected in better leadership, stronger institutional discipline and improved service to Nigerians.
Source: Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), statements by Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap and Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu at the promotion decoration ceremony.
