Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the world class edifice named in his honour at the Nigerian lmmigration Service headquarters Abuja, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC).
The completion and the commissioning of the magnificent edifice is a fulfillment of a long held dream and promise by the present administration of President Tinubu. The complex is more than a building, it is rather a bold step in modernizing immigration infrastructure and a powerful tool in the Nigerian Immigration Service on -going efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, manage migration effectively and enhance national security and foster stronger ties within the ECOWAS sub region.
The multifaceted complex comprises seven critical components that include the Command and Control Centre for Regular Migration; the NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre; the Interior Data Centre; the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre and the 4.1mw Solar Farm.
Each of these components has been meticulously designed to meet international standards, ensuring that Nigeria now not only catches up with global trends but becomes a leader in the management of migration data.
The collaboration among the government agencies that ensure the timely completion of this project is amazing. The collaboration is indeed a pointer to what cooperation and commitment could achieve. Hopefully, this synergy will continue to provide a sustained communication architecture linking relevant agencies with collaborative technology along a trusted information network. The integration of security across air, land and sea which the Ministry of interior and the Nigerian lmmigration Service envision and lead sway is aim to drive impactful security changes in and outside the country. This groundbreaking achievement is commendable and a dream come true to all Nigerians. The project also emphasized the need for Nigerians to embrace technology, change and knowledge – based innovations. Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people and a leader in Africa, must leverage technology, innovation and knowledge – based opportunities to drive inclusive growth and development for the benefit of all its citizens. The ECOWAS National Biometric ldentity Card (ENBIC) center is one of and a key component of this complex. The center is responsible for the production and distribution of the ECOWAS Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) to Nigerians. The opening of the center is a huge step forward which underpins both Nigeria’s desire to modernize and streamline it’s identity management infrastructure and the effort to ensure a more secure and connected immigration system with it’s ECOWAS regional neighbours. The implementation of the Biometric Smart Card is an ECOWAS obligation that was adopted in the year 2014 by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments. Senegal on the 4th October 2016 became the first Country to start issuing the cards, followed by Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Benin, The Gambia, Sierra Leone. The ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) is the official travel document for the region. The ENBIC is replacing the ECOWAS hand written Travel Certificate which is currently in use in the sub region as only a travel document that requires a resident card after ninety days stay in any of the member countries. The ENBIC will be use as a travel document and also as a resident card for citizens currently residing in any of the member countries.
The technical and technology choices made for the creation of this new Card are at the cutting edge in terms of the issuing of highly secure ldentity documents, guaranteeing a high level of protection against identity fraud and counterfeiting: hologram guillrate – patterned background, iridescent features, and UV printing are examples of the security features for the authorities of the various countries, such choices also means that their ECOWAS Card project must be entrusted to a highly specialized expert in the field who is able to rigorously apply the requirements defined by the country.
Despite the implementation of the ENBIC by these West African Countries in the last ten years, the ENBIC project has not been too successful and effective due to the absence and the non – implementation by Nigeria which has 60 to 70% ECOWAS Population. The last ten years has been a nightmare to, some Nigerians at home and those residing in other West African member countries who had anxiously wait for the implementation of the ENBIC by previous administrations falling short of that, which never happened until the present administration intervention in her wisdom and vision to boost businesses and stabilize the Nigerian economy, ensure the project-completion. The implementation of the ENBIC and the commissioning of BATTIC is an indication of setting a new benchmark in the use of technology to protect it’s borders and enhance national security. By adopting similar technology – driven initiatives, Nigeria stand to gain significant advantages, as evidence by success of nations like Singapore and the UAE. These countries have revolutionised their visa and border management systems through digitization, resulting in increased tourism and trade. Nigeria has improved tremendously in her trading activities with her membership of ECOWAS, thereby increasing not only her total output of goods and services but creating positive changes in the social, institutional and structural relationships. It will also facilitate travel movements, residence and the right to do business in any country of the sub region without the risk of compromising the National security of the host country, it will improve migration data exchange, and travel document harmonization to combat security challenges such as banditry, insurgency, cybercrimes, smuggling and other trans – border related challenges that will usually go undetected. A good way to end this piece is to urge us, Nigerians to remain focus, united and continue to pray for the country to achieve it’s national goals and objectives. The BATTIC project experience is a testament that Nigeria’s vision to attaining greatness in every sphere of endeavor is achieveable. It With a sterling leadership and our unwavering support as a people, surely, a great Nigeria that will work for everyone is possible again.
Ahmad Ibrahim writes from No 50, Lokoja/Gwari Road, Kaduna, Kaduna State.
