On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu commissioned the Immigration Services Technology Innovation Complex to enhance national security and the efficiency of the country’s migration/border management processes. The centre was named Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC). It is located at the Headquarters of Nigeria Immigration Services in Abuja.

The ultra-modern complex will not only serve as the nerve centre of the immigration service, but also the entire paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior such that security intelligence can be shared, stored, and processed seamlessly, and in real-time. The Data Complex comprises the Command-and-Control Centre (regular migration), NIS Data Centre, ECOWAS Biometric Card Production Centre, Interior Data Centre and a 0.5KW solar power plant.

The complex houses some of the most advanced technological security solutions that compete globally. It comprises a Data Centre, Command and Control Centre, Visa Approval Centre (VAC), ECOWAS Biometrics Centre, Solar Farm, and Passport Personalisation Centre. It is carefully built to combat security challenges such as insurgencies, banditry, cybercrimes, smuggling, and other trans-border-related challenges that have usually gone undetected said the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Ojo.

The new Command and Control Centre would ensure that every person entering the country is pre-profiled through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) and provide the service with an opportunity to flag down persons of interest at all international airports in the country.

In addition, the complex, amongst other critical components, also houses a 8.3 Petabytes data centre that will become the backbone of our digital infrastructure in the Ministry of Interior.

Tinubu’s Says Centre Will Help Drive Economic Growth
The President stressed the importance of technology and innovation as tools for driving Nigeria’s economic growth and societal transformation.

“As a nation with over 200 million people and a leader in Africa, we must embrace technology, change, and innovation to create opportunities that benefit the broader population,” Tinubu noted.

President Tinubu acknowledged the Ministry of Interior’s achievements and commended the recent advancements in passport issuance and immigration services. He reiterated that improvements in these areas would significantly enhance Nigeria’s economic prospects by facilitating ease of entry and exit for individuals and businesses.

“If we rejig Immigration as we have done, the economic opportunities and ease of movement will tremendously benefit Nigerians and international visitors alike,”

The President commended the collaboration among government agencies that led to the successful completion of the complex, describing it as a testament to what coordinated efforts and dedication can achieve for the nation.

In her address, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Services, Mrs Kemi Nandap, said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex will ascertain the risk level of persons entering the country, detect irregular migration patterns and monitor unmanned borders in hard-to-reach areas nationwide.

She said the facilities are setting the benchmark to use technology to secure our borders and ensure the security of the nation.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, attributed the success of the project to President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and unwavering support. “This project is a testament to your vision for a prosperous Nigeria. It resolves the huge costs associated with archiving data across different government agencies, ensuring efficiency and cost savings,”

“What started 12 months ago is now a landmark at the NIS Headquarters and will drive our agenda to stamp out challenges arising from insecurity along our vast borders”.