ACCELERATING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL NIGERIA ENERGY FORUM 17 APRIL , 2018 ‘ROLE OF THE NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE IN ENSURING A CONDUCIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT’ BY M BABANDEDE, MFR COMPTROLLER GENERAL NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE

Introduction to NIS General Duties Formulation and Enforcement of polices (eg Visa Policy), Immigration Regulations and the Immigration Act NIS Duties as spelt out in Section 2 (a-f) of Immigration Act 2015 Control of persons entering and leaving Nigeria Issuance of travel documents including Nigerian passports, to bona fide Nigerians within and outside Nigeria; Issuance of residence permits to foreigners in Nigeria; Border Surveillance and patrol; Enforcement of laws and regulations with which they are directly charged; and Performance of such paramilitary duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required

NIS Duties in Business Language Facilitation of international trade, through the control and management of the entry and exit of people ; Issuance, facilitation and control of travel documentations (including visas & permits); Migration Management for both Nigerian citizens at home and in the diaspora, foreign and local investors, entrepreneurs, tourists, expatriates, visitors and diplomats. We also combat irregular migration through repatriation of prohibited migrants, execution of deportation orders on offenders, receiving and managing Nigerian returnees

NIS and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria In furtherance of the desire of the Federal Government to make Nigeria a preferred destination for investors, innovators and high net worth individuals, the NIS put in place adequate measures for improved entry and exit experience of persons to Nigeria in view of the significance of the idiom ‘first impressions are the most lasting’

KEY NIS DELIVERABLES Eliminate Unnecessary Passenger Interface at the Airports (single)- faster passenger clearance, harmonized arrival/departure card End to end visa processing within 48 hours Transparency Initiatives (information on immigration facilities now available on NIS Website www.immigration.gov.ng with updated details of all immigration services offered, i.e requirements, eligibility, fees, how to apply (procedures) and timelines) Strengthening of Legal Frameworks (Immigration Act 2015 and Immigration Regulation 2017) to combat loss of lives of young persons through the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea

Improved end to end visa processing Introduction of online process for pre-approval letter for Visa on Arrival through a dedicated email address oa@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng which has also been extended to TWP applications and all visas issued within 48 hours. CGI floor at SHQ is now devoid of crowd of PROs Commenced issuance of visas which incorporate biometrics at selected NMAs. Speed and security

improved customer interface Pre-emptive, proactive and responsive Contact Centre (07080607900 nis.servicom@nigeriaimmigration.gov.ng) and SERVICOM Complaint Desk at all NIS service windows The Contact center runs from 7am to 8pm daily inclusive of weekends and public holidays The CC attends to enquiries, complaints and tip-offs from Nigeria and abroad. Frequent cases include Passport matters, visa follow-up, service failure at Nigeria Missions Abroad, stranded Nigerians abroad due to expired passports (or irregular) and NIS recruitment.

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Conclusion Permit me to conclude with what I call 3 Ps Passionate about your job and about serving people Proactive forward looking, imaginative Patriotic love for our country should be the driving force

THANK YOU