The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has decorated 46 newly promoted Comptrollers, urging them to rise to the heightened responsibilities that accompany senior leadership within a disciplined security institution. The ceremony, held in Abuja, underscored the Service’s determination to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and vigilance at a time of evolving national security challenges, with the elevation of the Comptrollers positioned as both recognition and renewed obligation.
Speaking during the event, Comptroller General Kemi Nandap reminded the newly decorated Comptrollers that advancement within the Service is neither automatic nor a function of longevity alone. Rather, she stressed that promotion is earned through sustained dedication, demonstrable professional competence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to duty. According to her, the elevation of Comptrollers reflects confidence in their judgment, experience, and capacity to uphold institutional values while leading officers under increasingly complex operational conditions.
She explained that the decoration symbolised the trust reposed in the newly promoted Comptrollers and signalled clear expectations of enhanced leadership, sound decision-making, and exemplary conduct. At senior levels, she noted, authority must be exercised with clarity of vision, decisiveness, empathy, and the ability to mentor and inspire subordinates. She emphasised that the actions of Comptrollers inevitably shape the culture, reputation, and public perception of the Service.
The Immigration chief paid tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what she described as visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to institutional reforms and national security. She said the ongoing transformation within the Nigeria Immigration Service is driven by the administration’s resolve to reposition security agencies for effectiveness, resilience, and public trust. In addition, she acknowledged the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for providing strategic direction, diligent oversight, and resolute dedication to strengthening operational capacities across the Service.
Welcoming dignitaries, colleagues, and families of the newly promoted Comptrollers, Nandap observed that their presence reflected the collective support that sustains officers of the Service. She acknowledged that the sacrifices made by families, often unseen, play a vital role in the professional journeys of immigration personnel. Their patience, encouragement, and understanding, she said, have been instrumental in enabling officers to serve with focus and commitment.
Addressing the current security environment, the Comptroller General reminded the Comptrollers that Nigeria faces multifaceted threats requiring vigilance, adaptability, and ethical leadership. She warned that indolence and unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated, stressing that the Service must remain innovative, responsive, and firmly aligned with national interest. According to her, Comptrollers must lead by example, ensuring that discipline and professionalism remain non-negotiable standards.
Nandap also highlighted key reforms underway within the Service, including upgrades to visa and passport processes, the expansion of contactless solutions, and the deployment of the newly introduced EMBIC system. She further disclosed plans for the forthcoming STEP initiative, a biometric-based Single Travel Emergency Passport expected to replace the Emergency Travel Certificate in 2026. These reforms, she explained, are designed to improve efficiency, security, and service delivery, with Comptrollers serving as critical drivers of successful implementation.
In his remarks, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Human Resources Management, Afolayan Ayeni, recalled that the Minister of Interior had prioritised timely promotions upon assumption of office. He noted that the decoration of the Comptrollers reflects deliberate efforts to motivate personnel, reward merit, and strengthen morale within the Service.
Of the 46 officers promoted from Deputy Comptroller of Immigration to Comptroller of Immigration, it was disclosed that one passed away before the release of the results, while seven had already retired. The ceremony concluded with assurances from the leadership that the Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to enhancing operational efficiency and institutional readiness as the country approaches a reform-driven 2026.
