Tinubu Urges National Unity As Nigeria Unveils State-Of-The-Art Immigration Complex

1Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu today called for national unity, urging Nigerians to overcome political divisions and work together for the betterment of the country.

He made the plea during the commissioning of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja.

Describing Nigerians as a family living in different rooms of the same house, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity despite political differences.

He highlighted the new complex as a symbol of progress and technological advancement, stating that it represents a fulfilment of a long-held dream to modernise the nation’s security infrastructure.

The BATTIC, a massive complex boasting 8.3 petabytes of data storage, is designed to streamline operations across various agencies within the Ministry of Interior.

It features a Command and Control Centre, a data centre, a visa approval centre, and other key components aimed at enhancing national security and migration management.

Interior Minister Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo recounted the project’s long and arduous journey, noting that inter-agency rivalry and lack of political will had stalled its development for 18 years.

He lauded the complex’s capabilities, including real-time border surveillance, improved data sharing, and a faster, more efficient visa application process.

The minister also highlighted the introduction of an ECOWAS ID card project to facilitate easier travel within the region for citizens of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

He also emphasised the modernization of the visa regime, moving to an automated online application process resulting in visa issuance within 48 hours.

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo underscored the successful inter-ministerial cooperation that finally brought the project to fruition, overcoming previous friction between the Interior and Aviation Ministries.

He noted that Nigeria is now among a select group of seven African nations with such a technologically advanced system, as recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGIS) Kemi Nandap described BATTIC as a significant step towards modernizing Nigeria’s immigration infrastructure.

She detailed the complex’s advanced capabilities, including advanced passenger information analysis, identification of suspicious travel patterns, 24/7 surveillance, and cross-referencing with national and international watchlists.

She emphasized the facility’s role in strengthening national security and streamlining migration management.

The commissioning of BATTIC marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its security and border control capabilities, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and address long-standing challenges.

President Tinubu’s call for unity underscores the government’s hope that this technological advancement will contribute to a more secure and unified nation.