Nigeria, like many countries, recognizes the economic, social and political benefits of international mobility.
This week, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officially opened its new Migration Information and Data Analysis System at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The Abuja Airport is the second busiest airport in Nigeria, serving approximately five million passengers annually.
The MIDAS system, developed by the International Organisation for Migration, enables immigration and border officials to process travellers more rapidly and professionally, making their border-crossing experience safer and more humane.
“MIDAS helps the government of Nigeria to better understand mobility patterns through its statistical information and also ensure that those crossing Nigerian borders do not pose threats to national and international security,” explained NIS Comptroller General, Muhammad Babandede, during the commissioning event at the airport.
MIDAS also enables states to more effectively monitor those entering and exiting their territory by land, air and sea while providing a sound statistical basis for migration policy-related planning.
To date, the project represents the largest deployment of MIDAS at any airport globally and it will be implemented in four other Nigerian airports welcoming travellers: Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt.
This marks a breakthrough for Nigeria which hopes to establish one of the world’s largest MIDAS data networks.
“MIDAS improves the effectiveness and efficiency of Nigeria’s air border management by strengthening NIS’ ability to manage and facilitate cross border movements,” added Nicolai Ruge, Ambassador-at-large for Migration of Denmark.
