The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially named its newly commissioned Command and Control Centre after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
OsunDailyNG reports that the announcement was made by the Controller General of the NIS, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, during the inauguration of the facility, known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC), at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Describing the event as a landmark moment in the evolution of the NIS, Mrs. Nandap stated that BATTIC represents a major stride toward modernizing Nigeriaโs immigration infrastructure.
Nandap said, โIt is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today, as we mark a momentous occasion in the history of the Nigeria Immigration Service and, indeed, in the development of our great nation.
โToday, we gather to commission the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation ComplexโBATTICโhere at the NIS Headquarters.
โThis cutting-edge facility is a true testament to Nigeriaโs forward-thinking approach to digital transformation and national security.
โBATTIC is more than just a building; it is a leap forward, a bold step in modernizing our immigration infrastructure, and a powerful tool in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the nationโs borders, manage migration effectively, and enhance national security.โ
According to Nandap, the centre will play a vital role in border security, migration management, and overall national safety.
The facility has received certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is integrated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), aligning with global best practices.
Nandap said: โAdditionally, BATTIC is a multi-faceted complex comprising several critical components that will play a pivotal role in Nigeriaโs security and migration management.
โThese include the Command-and-Control Centre for Regular Migration, the NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre, the Interior Data Centre,
โThe Passport Personalization Centre, the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre, and the 0.5KW Solar Farm.
โEach of these components has been meticulously designed to meet international standards, ensuring that Nigeria not only catches up with global trends but becomes a leader in the management of migration data.
โWith BATTIC, we are setting a new benchmark in the use of technology to protect our borders and enhance national security.
โAt the heart of BATTICโs mission is its ability to manage and analyze varying levels of data efficiently, using state-of-the-art technology.
โAllow me to highlight some of the key functions and capabilities of this remarkable facility:
โAdvanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Analysis.
โThis enables us to assess the risk levels of passengers even before they arrive in Nigeria or depart from their country of origin.
โIdentification of Suspicious Travel Patterns: By analyzing travel data, we can detect anomalies that may indicate potential security threats.
โThe complex will support real-time video surveillance to monitor unmanned border areas across the federation, ensuring a constant watch on border activities.
โIntegrated Communication Platform: BATTIC will facilitate seamless communication across all levelsโfrom Border Patrol Units to Border Control Posts, State Commands, the Service Headquarters, and the Ministry of Interior.
โCross-Referencing with National and International Watchlists: Data will be cross-checked against various national and global security databases, including INTERPOL, to ensure no security threats slip through the cracks.
โIn essence, BATTIC will serve as the central hub for our digital infrastructure, dramatically enhancing our surveillance capabilities, streamlining migration management, and strengthening our national security framework.โ