The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Government of Italy have strengthened their collaboration on border management with the deployment of operational equipment to enhance the capacity of the Service.
The 18-month initiative, being implemented by UNODC with financial support from the Government of Italy through the Ministry of the Interior’s Department of Public Security – Central Directorate for Immigration and Border Police (DCIPF), is designed to boost border surveillance, control and the operational effectiveness of immigration personnel.
Under the project, the NIS will receive 30 operational vehicles and 60 computers to improve mobility, surveillance and digital operations, particularly at remote and high-risk border locations.
The project was officially flagged off on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the United Nations House in Abuja during a high-level meeting convened by UNODC.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller General of the NIS, KN Nandap, expressed appreciation to the Government of Italy and UNODC for their continued support towards strengthening the Service’s operational capacity.
Nandap said the provision of the vehicles and computers would significantly enhance the mobility and surveillance capabilities of immigration personnel while strengthening the Service’s digital infrastructure and overall operational efficiency.
She noted that the intervention would be particularly valuable in extending the operational reach of the NIS to remote and high-risk border areas, where effective surveillance and rapid response remain critical to national security and border management.
Also speaking, Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, H.E. Roberto Mengoni, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen border management and institutional capacity.
The latest intervention further underscores the growing cooperation among Nigeria, Italy and UNODC in strengthening border governance and enhancing the capacity of frontline institutions responsible for securing Nigeria’s borders.
