NIS Unveils Strategic Plan Against Rising Cyber Threats

The Nigeria Immigration Service says it is implementing a five point strategic plan to achieve a cyber-resilient system to strengthen the nation’s defences against rising cyber threats.

The plan include strengthening internal cybersecurity governance and compliance mechanism, building capacity through continuous ICT and operational training, deepening inter-agency collaboration, investing in secure digital infrastructure that meets international standards and institutionalizing data protection and privacy compliance in line with national and global framework.

The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap made the call at the launch of the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, themed “Securing Our World: Building a Cyber-Ready Nigeria Immigration Service.”

Declaring the campaign open on behalf of the Comptroller General of Immigration, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Works and Logistics, DCG. Umanah, warned that cybercrime has evolved into a national security threat capable of undermining governance, economic stability, and public trust.

She said the global escalation of cyber attacks targeting identity and migration data has made it imperative for Nigeria to build a cyber-ready immigration service, capable of defending its digital assets and the personal information of millions of citizens.

The CG noted that the Immigration Service sits at the heart of Nigeria’s national identity management and border security system, handling vast databases of personal, biometric and travel information.

She observed that with the digitization of core operations such as the e-Passport, e-Visa, and e-Border Management platforms, cybersecurity has become central to Nigeria’s sovereignty and border integrity.

According to her, the Service’s strategic creation of an ICT and Cybersecurity Directorate, led by DCG Augusta Obianime, has strengthened institutional readiness and placed digital defense at the heart of immigration management.

While commending the Service’s digital transformation, the CG stressed that technology alone cannot guarantee safety, insisting that the human factor remains the most effective line of defense.

She urged all formations of the NIS to mainstream cybersecurity awareness into their daily operations, internal audits, and staff briefings, while enforcing compliance with data protection policies and responsible digital conduct.

She emphasized that cyber threats do not respect geographic or institutional boundaries, calling for a united front across government, academia and the private sector.

Earlier in her remarks, DCG Augusta Obianime, head of the ICT and Cybersecurity Directorate, said the growing sophistication of cyber attacks demands a culture of constant vigilance across all levels of government.

She said participants would be equipped with practical skills in cyber hygiene, threat analysis, forensics and digital ethics, empowering officers to act as first responders in detecting and mitigating cyber risks.

The 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign is part of Nigeria’s participation in the Global Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and will feature workshops, simulations, and training sessions across NIS formations nationwide to strengthen national identity protection and digital resilience.

PR/Nkiru Njemanze