The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), has emphasized the importance of technology in fighting corruption and improving service delivery within the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Speaking at the launch of a two-day nationwide sensitization campaign at the NIS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, represented by the commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Demola Bakare, highlighted key areas of concern such as recruitment fraud, unethical passport processing, and misconduct at border entry points.
The campaign with the theme: “Increased digitization and consolidated innovations for efficient and transparent services,” seeks to enhance efficiency and transparency in immigration services.
Dr. Aliyu commended the immigration service for its progress in digital transformation, and anti-corruption efforts, but urged further improvements, particularly in cybersecurity for recruitment portals and the enforcement of standard operating procedures.
He also proposed the introduction of an official administrative cost for passport applications to eliminate illegal facilitation fees, while improving staff welfare.
The ICPC boss noted the immigration service improvement in the ethics and integrity compliance scorecard, moving from non-compliance in 2023, to partial compliance in 2024, but stressed the need for further reforms.
“The ultimate goal of any anti-corruption initiative is to ensure effective public service delivery,” Dr. Aliyu stated, emphasizing the need for whistleblower protections and strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
Read also: Ministry, ICPC sign agreement to curb corruption in health sector
ICPC vows to prosecute public officers involved in power infrastructure vandalism
ICPC arraign civil servant for money laundering
Declaring the campaign open, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to national security and seamless migration services.
She emphasized that integrity, transparency, and efficiency are essential to operations of the service, and crucial for attracting local and foreign investment.
Among the innovations introduced to curb corruption, she highlighted the passport automation programme, contactless passport application process, E-gates, body cameras, and E-visas.
These measures, she noted, are aimed at restoring public confidence in the immigration system.
“Our officers are being trained to uphold the highest standards of service ethics,” Nandap said, adding that partnerships with ICPC and other anti-corruption agencies have strengthened internal accountability mechanisms.
