The Nigerian Immigration service (NIS) says MIDAS will increase the nation’s effectiveness in border management and also improve in passenger facilitation.
The Comptroller General, NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede said this at the inauguration of MIDAS technology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) is a Border Management Information System (BMIS) which is an IT base solution designed to process and record both biographic and biometric detail of passengers’ movement.
The CG said that all the data collected by MIDAS was the exclusive property of the implementing nation and it allows for information sharing with critical stakeholders locally and internationally.
“NIS has taken full ownership of this project under the close guidance of IOM. We are a very good example of a working partnership with an International organisation like IOM.
“It is important to note that most criminals of high profile travel by air. With the recent completed deployment of MIDAS in three International Airports, we are ready to tackle trans-national organized crime.
“We have jointly excelled in many fields of modern Migration Management. I am proud to state that the installation of equipment for both MIDAS and e-Migrant registration is being done by Immigration Officers.
“We have also successfully liberalised our visa regime by the introduction of Visa on Arrival programme to not only attract the much needed Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)
but also ensure that only proper and fit visitors are allowed into the country especially against the backdrop of the current security challenges in the country,” he said.
Babandede said that the Service embarked on strategic reforms aimed at enhancing migration management, service delivery and national security.
“I am pleased to note that we have improved departure and arrival experiences at our borders and Airports.
“Our clearance procedures at major entry Ports including Land and Sea have been improved. With the Federal Government’s approval on the e-border, our borders will soon be automated.
“MIDAS no doubt, fits perfectly into our vision, which is anchored on building a modern, effective and efficient Migration Management Agency, manned by well-trained and motivated workforce for enhanced national security,” he said.
Babandede said that the MIDAS projects equally established MIDAS training Center at NIS headquarters.
“MIDAS training centre has trained over 300 NIS officers in MIDAS uses and installation and 50 officers in ICT Fields’ related courses.
“MIDAS as border security tools will equally automatically checks all recorded entry and exit data against national and INTERPOL Alerts lists, this contribute towards ensuring that those attempting to cross our borders do not pose a threat to national and international security,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that MIDAS has already been deployed at 14 land borders and two seaports which has greatly enhanced the ability to harness records of migration flow at the nation’s borders.
The sites were MIDAS were installed includes; Kebbi state 3 land borders, Sokoto state 3 land borders, Katsina state 3 land borders, Cross rivers state 1 land border and 2 seaports, Jigawa state 2 land borders.
Others are Akwa Ibom state 1 seaport, Ogun state 1 land border, Kano state 1 International Airports, Lagos state 1 International Airport and Abuja 1 International Airport.
