The Nigerian Ministry of Interior has made move to start producing e-passport locally in the country.
Speaking yesterday, November 11 at a weekly ministerial press briefing at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the Minister in the Ministry, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said: “we have commenced the process of establishing a local facility for the production of e-passport booklets in Nigeria.”
According to Aregbesola, the Ministry had witnessed growing demand for the Nigerian passport both locally and by Nigerians in diaspora. He said that a total of 2,782,216 passports were produced between 2019 to date, out of which 2,742,207 were issued with 40,009 remaining uncollected.
“In 2017, 1,018,365 passports were produced out of which 1,010,437 were issued; in 2018, 1,072,321 passports were produced out of which 1,064,127 were issued.”
Aregbesola said that the growth reflected the demographic distribution of the country’s population which he said, is heavily skewed in favor of the youths.
He said that the demography had globally dominated migration, explaining that the year-on-year increasing growth rate is putting a lot of pressure on the current processing structure and resources and had further justified the need for a reform in the passport application and processing system in line with the current reality.
“This year alone, up till the 9th of November, we have issued 798,390 passports. In addition, between May and June, the ministry approved a special deployment of over 200,000 passport booklets worldwide, to clear backlogs occasioned by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on passport processes.
“It is also noteworthy that there is total of 56,135 uncollected passports. To limit human interference and corruption, we are streamlining the whole passport application and production processes to increase efficiency. In the coming days, a new and digital appointment management system will be launched to optimize the passport application experience for Nigerians, limit physical visits to passport offices and check the inconveniences that Nigerians suffer in booking appointments for biometric data capture.
“We are also decentralizing and strengthening passport production centers across the country working with our service providers to increase capacity. I am pleased to inform you that, before the year runs out, the immigration service will be opening additional front offices across the country specifically to ease the pressure at high traffic passport offices.
“The Ministry is also not unaware or unmindful of the activities of some unscrupulous elements within our immigration service. We are committed to identifying all such officers and make them to face the full consequences of their actions.”
The full text of the Minister’s briefing is reproduced below:
I have the pleasure to present to the gentlemen of the press programs, reforms, and initiatives of the Ministry of Interior in the last two years with emphasis on internal security and public safety. My presentation will also touch on correctional services, immigration, and protection of our borders as well as citizenship and business services rendered to the public.
The Ministry of Interior has evolved over the years when it was first created as Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1957 by the Colonial Government. What we have today emerged in 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari merged the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the Ministry of Police Affairs, although the later was eventually excised from it in 2019.
The Ministry of Interior (“the Ministry”) has the mandate for formulating and implementing policies and programs that enhance internal security, public safety, create enabling environment for foreign investors, as well as the promotion and maintenance of the integrity of the Nigerian citizenship; all of which are key pillars in the priority areas of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Ministry has the mandate for registration of places of worship for the purpose of conduct of statutory marriages; issuance of expatriate quota, and permit for foreign businesses to operate in Nigeria and processing applications for Nigerian citizenship for the consideration of the President.
The Ministry oversees four para-military agencies and a Board. These are:
1. Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
2. Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
3. Federal Fire Service (FFS).
4. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and
5. Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) responsible for recruitment, promotion and discipline of officers and men of the four paramilitary agencies under the Ministry.
As you may be aware, the focus of this administration is built around three strategy areas of Security, Economy and Transparency (SET). From these three broad objectives, the Federal Government has selected nine (9) main priority areas for its intervention. They are to:
i. Stabilize the macroeconomy
ii. Increase agricultural productivity and food security
iii. Ensure energy sufficiency
iv. Improve transportation and other infrastructure
v. Drive industrialization
vi. Improve health, education, and productivity of Nigerians
vii. Enhance social inclusion by scaling up social investments
viii. Fight corruption and improve governance and
ix. Provide security for all citizens
From the nine priorities, the primary key performance indicator assigned to the Ministry of Interior by Mr President is the provision of security for all citizens. I will now proceed to the programs, policies and initiatives of the Ministry towards achieving the mandate of the President.
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
1. The Ministry is aware of the challenges faced by applicants for processing and reissue of passports. I want to use this unique opportunity to assure Nigerians that the current experience will soon be a thing of the past. I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the Ministry has taken substantial measures to address the issue of shortage of the e-passport booklets.
This year alone, the Ministry approved a special deployment of over 600,000 passport booklets, the largest ever done, to cushion the effects of shortages being experienced. To limit human interference with the passport application process, gradually eliminate corruption and improve efficiency, we are reforming the entire passport application and production process. In the coming days, a new and digital Appointment Management System (AMS) will be launched to optimize the passport application experience for Nigerians, limit physical visits to passport offices and eliminate the inconveniences that Nigerians suffer in booking appointments for biometric data capture. We are also decentralizing and strengthening passport production centers across the country by working with our service providers to increase capacity. I am pleased to inform you that, in 90 days, NIS will be opening additional biometric capture centers across the country which is expected to ease the pressure at high traffic passport offices like Ikoyi and Abuja.
We are working assiduously to reform the passport application and issuing process. This reform is going to be a continuous process until we get to a situation where Nigerians can seamlessly, transparently, and effortlessly apply for passport, and we are able to significantly enhance the integrity of the travel document which is the most authentic means of identification as a citizen of any country.
Gentlemen of the press, please recall that a core mandate of the Ministry of Interior alluded to earlier in my presentation is the promotion and maintenance of citizenship integrity. You may wish to note that the passport is the only means of citizenship identification where the President expressly committed to the international community that the holder is a citizen and should be accorded all the respect due to the country. It is therefore our unwavering commitment to ensure world class customer service to passport applicants.
It is important that I let the gentlemen of the press into some of the objectives of this reform we have embarked on and committed to. They include the following:
i. To enhance the integrity of the Nigerian passport by ensuring that non-Nigerians are not able to obtain the Nigerian passport. The enhancement of the integrity of the passport comes with a number of benefits for holders crossing international borders. Our reform would ensure that it becomes easier for an elephant to pass through the eye of the needle than for a non-Nigerian or any unauthorized person to hold the Nigerian passport.
ii. One of the measures we have put in place is to link the passport to the National Identity Number (NIN). We have added additional layer of request for the permanent home address of applicants which shall be verified physically before we issue the passport. This is to authenticate their ethnic origin and prevent non-Nigerians from obtaining our passport.
To achieve these objectives, we are investing heavily in human and material resources towards effective screening and verification of breeder documents presented to support passport application and proof of citizenship. It is important that I let Nigerians know that this is a critical path in the application process and would require time. I urge all Nigerians to support us to regain the integrity of our passport. The Nigerian passport booklet is one of the most secured in the world, with security features that make it tamper proof. As a Ministry, we are committed to enhancing the application process to a similar status in our effort to promote and maintain citizenship integrity.
iii. To eliminate touting and every form of corruption from the system which has made passport application expensive and difficult for many Nigerians. The touting business around our passport offices has become a big industry that is frustrating our desire for a seamless application process.
iv. To ensure a system of total quality through easy processing of application and collection of passports by applicants. The reform will birth a world class customer service for passport applicants.
v. To bring passport services closer to the people as much as is practicable.
May I also inform this august audience that we have commenced the process of establishing a local facility for the production of e-passport booklets in Nigeria.
It is also important to inform you that we have witnessed growing demand for the Nigerian passport both locally and by Nigerians in diaspora. A total of 2,782,216 passports was produced between 2019 to date. Out of this, 2,742,207 passports were issued with 40,009 remaining uncollected. In 2017, 1,018,365 passports were produced out of which 1,010,437 were issued; in 2018, 1,072,321 passports were produced out of which 1,064,127 were issued.
We understand that this growth reflects the demographic distribution of the country’s population which is heavily skewed in favor of the youths and is the demography that globally dominates migration. The year-onyear increasing growth rate is however putting a lot of pressure on the current processing structure and resources and further justifies the need for a reform in the passport application and processing system in line with the current reality.
This year alone, up till the 9th of November, we have issued 798,390 passports. In addition, between May and June, the ministry approved a special deployment of over 200,000 passport booklets worldwide, to clear backlogs occasioned by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on passport processes. It is also noteworthy that there is total of 56,135 uncollected passports. To limit human interference and corruption, we are streamlining the whole passport application and production processes to increase efficiency. In the coming days, a new and digital appointment management system will be launched to optimize the passport application experience for Nigerians, limit physical visits to passport offices and check the inconveniences that Nigerians suffer in booking appointments for biometric data capture. We are also decentralizing and strengthening passport production centers across the country working with our service providers to increase capacity. I am pleased to inform you that, before the year runs out, the immigration service will be opening additional front offices across the country specifically to ease the pressure at high traffic passport offices.
2. The Ministry is also not unaware or unmindful of the activities of some unscrupulous elements within our immigration service. We are committed to identifying all such officers and make them to face the full consequences of their actions. To underscore our resolve, we recently launched the Nigeria Immigration Service Code of Conduct and Ethics document to regulate the conduct of NIS personnel in ensuring that services are rendered most seamlessly, transparently and courteously while checking the excesses of the staff. The objectives of this initiative include:
i. To assist immigration officers and men to understand the standard conduct expected of them in the execution of their duties.
ii. To build a strong integrity culture among immigration officers so as to restore and enhance public confidence in them.
iii. To facilitate effective and quality service delivery while instilling zero tolerance for corruption.
iv. To promote continuous evaluation and improvement in service delivery.
To underscore our commitment to enforcing this Code of Conduct, we have instituted a whistle blowing and mystery shopping policy to identify the bad eggs in the system who are willfully frustrating the effort to provide seamless services and operations to Nigerians. You may wish to recall the recent sting operation carried out by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration. This is in line with the initiatives we have adopted to clean up the system of bad eggs. Again, I must solicit the support and cooperation of Nigerians towards this. We shall soon make public dedicated phone numbers and social media accounts to report officers who are engaged in corrupt practices.
3. We recently completed and commissioned the NIS Technology Building fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and linked to global database designed to curb international crime. The implication of this on security, particularly protection of our borders, is that Nigeria now has a well-equipped immigration technology building to serve as data recovery center housing all migration information both local and international. The objectives for this very important technology center are:
i. To remotely monitor all activities around our borders (air, land and sea) in real time.
ii. To link Nigeria up with global community in her effort to reduce international crime.
4. In the period under review, we launched the ICAO-Compliant Nigerian Temporary Passport. Prior to its launch, there was emergency travel certificate which was a paper that can be easily forged and contains no security features and could be used by anybody to enter Nigeria. There is now a new Temporary Passport that is available for one-way traveling and for Nigerians in diaspora who may have lost their passports or unable to renew. The Temporary Passport has three months validity with enhanced security features that links the biodata of traveler to the EPassport. The objective of this policy initiative is to make traveling to Nigeria easy for Nigerians in diaspora who have expired passport and need to travel to their motherland at very short notice. It has also reduced the possibility of non-Nigerians using the emergency travel certificate to enter Nigeria.
5. We have fully implemented biometric visa at all entry points into the country. Hitherto, there was paper stamped visa with no security and personalization features. The new biometric visa is integrated to Migration Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and has enhanced security features. The security objectives for this include the following:
i. To have full security control of migrants into Nigeria at all entry points.
ii. To identify and deter persons of interest or persons who are on INTERPOL wanted persons’ list. This has further enhanced the security of the country as it relates to INTERPOL profiled international criminals.
6. To complement the implementation of biometric visa, we have deployed Migration Data Analysis System (MIDAS) at all entry points in the country for proper identification of travelers. MIDAS is also integrated to INTERPOL i/24/7. The objective is
to ensure full security profiling, control and proper identification of travelers.
7. During the period under review, NIS unveiled the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020 in compliance with the Presidential Executive Order 1 (EO1) on Ease of Doing Business and to adopt best practices in visa administration. Notable features of NVP2020 include the expansion of visa categories from 6 to 79, coding and simplification of application process to ensure that visas are issued to specifically match the purpose of travel to Nigeria. This latter feature will significantly aid the operational activities of immigration officers and other security agencies. We have achieved the full automation of our Visa-On-Arrival process and working towards maintaining a premium and world class website for NIS.
8. We have implemented the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) which has been fully deployed at all air entry points. The implication of this is that Nigeria now has the capacity to have full details of all incoming travelers into the country even before arrival. It enables our security agencies to carry out detailed profiling of all incoming passengers and necessary security checks before their arrival into the country.
9. There is increased border surveillance and patrol by the NIS to prevent undesirable persons from entering Nigeria. Presently, all international airports are connected to Interpol 24/7 through the MIDAS system. We have established 14 fully equipped Border Patrol Forward Operation Bases (FOB) with plans to increase the number in the next financial year. NIS has equally commenced the full implementation of National Border Management Strategy (NBMS) 2019-2023. We are committed to launching the e-Border project to further enhance effective surveillance of our 4,477 KM land border and 853 KM blue borderline through technology.
10. We have recently inaugurated the Electronic Data Management System (EDMS) at Nigeria Immigration Service. Prior to this inauguration, document management and administrative system were paper based and cumbersome. The deployment of EDMS at all administrative levels of the Agency has reduced the level of paper-based processes and processing time. This is expected to complement all the initiatives we are taking on quality customer service.
11. As of today, over 153,000 lost and stolen Nigerian passports have been uploaded after successfully connecting the passport database with that of National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol police database domiciled with the Nigeria Police. This has significant implication for national security. It must be pointed out that
Nigeria is the only country in Africa with this capacity in real time.
Nigerian Correctional Service
1. There are various ongoing reformation and education programs for inmates in our custodial facilities. The Service, in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has increased the number of Study Centers to ten across Correctional formations (Abeokuta, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna, Keffi, Kuje, Lafia, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Umuahia). There are currently about 465 inmates running various Degree programs, 85 of the inmates are running Post – Graduate Degree programs, 4 are running PhD programs within the custodial facilities. 560 inmates have been enrolled for WAEC/NECO Examinations, and 2300 for Adult Literacy Classes in several Custodial Centers. Additional Borstal
Training Institutions for young offenders, male and female, are to
be established in each State of the Federation. We have integrated the construction of life centers into the new 3000 capacity custodial facilities in each of the geo-political zones. The focus of these centers would be on behavior modification of inmates to reduce the rate of recidivism and facilitate the reintegration of inmates upon release from custody.
2. In the period under review, we commenced the construction of 3000 modern capacity custodial center in each of the 6 geopolitical zones. Construction is almost at completion stages in Janguza, Kano State (85% completion) and will be completed by April, 2022; Karshi, in FCT (65% completion) and Bori, in Rivers State (40% completion). This would decongest the custodial centers, ensure good living condition for inmates, and support the implementation of the NCoS Act 2019 with the goal of rehabilitating, reformation, and reintegration of inmates.
3. In the period under review also, we commenced the implementation of the NCoS Act 2019 with the goal of rehabilitating, reformation, and reintegration of inmates. The Nigeria Prison Service that was abolished was a lock and key system for prisoners. The objective of the amended Act is to focus on reform of inmates and to empower them with skills and vocations that will empower them economically upon release.
The overall purpose is to reduce and monitor the rate of recidivism in our custodial facilities. This is being integrated into the Correctional Information Management System (CIMS). This will help to conduct risk and need assessment for offenders in our custody and help to develop correctional treatment method suitable for their rehabilitation, reintegration, and reformation based on their historical record.
The Ministry has initiated the process of expanding vocational programs in custodial centers to become well equipped enterprise centers, in line with the new focus of rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
4. We have commenced a Public Private Partnership for the establishment of Five (5) Billion Naira shoe and garment factories in Kano and Abia States respectively. There are other initiatives as work-in-progress to expose inmates to training in auto repairs, electronics etc through PPP arrangements. The objective is to provide skill acquisition and economic empowerment to inmates upon their release.
5. In line with the amended Act, the new Non-Custodial Measures Service Directorate has taken effect. Office accommodation has been provided at the National Headquarters of NCoS and in all the 36 States of the Federation including FCT. Staff training and capacity building on non-custodial measures are ongoing.
The National Committee on Non-Custodial Measures will be appointed by the President upon confirmation by the National Assembly.
6. We have reactivated many of the custodial farm centers for large scale agricultural production. Prior to their reactivation, the huge expanse of farmlands owned by NCoS were not optimally utilized. The Kujama farm in Kaduna state is currently being cultivated for maize, the Lakushi farm in Plateau state is being cultivated for rice, while the Ozalla farm in Edo State is being cultivated for palm oil. New farm structures have been built for livestock production, piggery, and fishery to reposition the farms and enhance the training of inmates in plant and livestock production. The objective is to position NCoS farmlands to support agricultural production in the country, while the medium-term objective is to produce a significant portion of food that will be used to feed inmates.
7. In the area of health, NCoS renovated and upgraded Medical Centres, procured ambulances, and substantial quantity of drugs in the Custodial Centres for the healthcare of inmates. It is worthy of note that NCoS has not recorded any case of COVID-19 in any of the Custodial Facilities.
8. The Ministry has faced a number of challenges in recent times in the area of safe custody of persons that are either awaiting trial or have been convicted by the State. Our custodial facilities have become targets of attacks by enemies of the State. Let me use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Ministry is doing everything possible to address this situation in conjunction with relevant security agencies.
I would like to inform Nigerians that we have captured the biometric information of all inmates in the facilities of NCoS working in partnership with NIMC, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission. Therefore, we have the capacity and are tracking all escapees from our facilities. In addition, we are working with and have shared the details of escapees with INTERPOL, to check the risks of cross border movements.
There are ongoing efforts by NCoS to rearrest inmates that have escaped from our custodial facilities in recent times. However, in other to make this initiative more comprehensive, broad, and global we shall soon inaugurate a Ministerial Taskforce specifically for the rearrest of the escapees. The composition of the Taskforce cuts across various Ministries and Agencies and include Civil Society Organizations, Police-Community Relations Organizations and other stakeholders that can help to track and rearrest the escapees and their collaborators. The taskforce is expected to set in motion deliberate strategies to ensure that every fleeing inmate is rearrested, and their collaborators are prosecuted. I want to assure you that the escapees will soon have no hiding place.
9. We have commenced vulnerability assessment of all custodial facilities across the country. This has become imperative from the recent attacks on some of our custodial facilities across the country. The objectives include the following:
i. To verify the security situation of all custodial centers.
ii. To identify areas that require urgent upgrade of security arrangements.
iii. To identify different approaches required in securing each custodial facility based on their peculiarities.
To this end, I have directed that all custodial centers should be designated as critical national assets and the armed squad of NSCDC should be drafted to complement the operations of other security agencies, in line with their mandate.
10. The Ministry is working on the process of mandatory DNA capturing for all inmates in the custody of NCoS, either as awaiting trial persons or convicts. The objective is to develop a database of the digital footprints of all inmates in our custodial facilities. This will significantly aid forensic investigations of crime when completed. This initiative is expected to lead to a reduction in crime and facilitate speedy investigation. It will also make it easy to track and rearrest inmates who may illegally escape from custody.
I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we have captured the biometric information of all inmates in the facilities of NCoS.
Please permit me to highlight that the ratio of male inmates to female inmates in the custodial centers is 98:2. The total number of convicted female inmates is 256 while 58 female inmates are on death row. There are 1,019 female inmates are Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP). The total number of inmates is 69,680 out of which 50,223 are Awaiting Trial Persons and 19,457 are convicted inmates.
Federal Fire Service
1. Gentlemen of the press, I must not fail to bring to your attention that prior to the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Fire Service had on three (3) unserviceable vehicles; two (2) in Abuja and one (1) in Lagos. The Administration has recorded unprecedented investment in firefighting in the history of Nigeria, which has resulted in significant improvement in the response time and efficiency of the Federal Fire Service to emergencies. I am indeed extremely pleased to inform Nigerians that we have been able to reduce the value of assets destroyed by fire and other disasters. In the period under review, FFS responded to 698 fire outbreaks in 2019 and 3,555 in 2020 across the country. In 2019, the Agency saved 99 lives and 1,100 in 2020. In 2019, assets valued at N1.82trillion were saved while in 2020, assets valued at N1.35 trillion were save across the country.
2. This achievement was made possible by the expansion of offices and operations of the Federal Fire Service from 14 states and FCT before the period under review to all the 36 States of the Federation. The FFS deployed 106 brand new, state of the art fire trucks to the 36 States accompanied with well trained personnel as fire cover to combat fire outbreaks. This has enhanced the firefighting capability of FFS and this standard is available in all States of the federation. The effective coverage of the Service across the 36 States is expected to encourage the sub national fire service agencies to also invest heavily in firefighting and support their operations.
3. We have also procured and deployed the first ever modern hydraulic fire-fighting truck to Lagos to be able to respond to fire incidents in high rise buildings. We have an objective to enhance FFS’ capacity to respond to fire disaster in high rise buildings across the country.
4. We have established the National Fire Data Repository Centre in the 6 geopolitical zones in the country which is the first in the history of fire service in Nigeria. The National Fire Data Repository Centre has the following functions:
i. Emergency response and co-ordination by receiving emergency alerts, coordinate response, coordinate premise inspection and conduct fire investigation.
ii. Enterprise services which provide control of fake fire extinguishers and fire alarm panel gateway remittances.
iii. To ensure quality control on Fire safety products.
5. The Ministry has commenced the construction of 12 Metropolitan Fire Stations across the 12 zonal commands that were created to bring the FFS fire and rescue services closer to the people. When completed, these fire stations will house every necessary modern firefighting equipment/appliance that can fight all kinds of fire and in all kinds of buildings, towards improving the efficiency of the Service and bringing that efficiency closer to the people.
6. In addition, for the first time in the history of this country, the FFS has procured and deployed ambulances to all zonal commands. To date, we have deployed 20 basic life support ambulances and employed paramedics to provide first care to fire victims and transport them to hospitals for treatment. This is an effort to reduce death rate from fire incidents.
7. The Ministry has commenced the process of Public Private Partnership for the deployment of automatic Fire Alarm System nationwide. The existing system is premised on call and response where victims reach out to fire service. The automatic fire alarm system will be directly linked from homes and businesses to the FFS Command and Control Center and ensure that fire alerts are received in real time through electronic gadgets by the Agency and property owners before any major damage is done. This will significantly improve response time to fire disaster in the country and reduce financial and economic loss to fire disasters.
8. To further improve response time to fire incidents and disasters, the FFS has created the Fire Volunteer Force in every Local Government Area as well as the Special Fire Marshals.
9. We continue to develop the capacity of our firemen to international standard to effectively handle fire emergencies. We have also intensified our Fire Risk Assessments of buildings across the country. We have averted numerous fire disasters involving multiple vehicles occasioned by fuel tanker accidents across the country. We have also developed the capacity of personnel to respond to building collapse, flood and disaster management.
10. Gentlemen of the press, I am pleased to reiterate that this administration’s investments in firefighting equipment is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and has enabled the Federal Fire Service to confront several fire disasters that could have resulted in huge human, financial and economic losses across the country. My hope is that in the not-too-distant future, the Federal Fire Service will have capacity to fight fire aerially through the acquisition of appropriate firefighting aircrafts.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
1. The Corps’ Special Forces personnel are currently deployed alongside other security agencies in various Joint Operations such as Operation SHARANDAJI, Operation POLO SHIELD and Operation HADIN KAI. against activities of kidnappers. These Operations are aimed at addressing the menace of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling. They have averted many suicide bombings through proactive measures, vigilance and community intelligence gathering. The Corps continue to collaborate with other security agencies to curb the nation’s security challenges which includes insurgency, herders/farmers’ clashes, cultism, piracy, terrorism and economic sabotage across the federation.
2. Through the operations of the Agro-Rangers Squad physical security is being provided to the Agro-Allied sector of the economy. NSCDC personnel have been deployed to protect farmers in Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi and many other States that have solicited for the deployment of the Agro Rangers Squad.
3. The Corps continue to protect Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East of Nigeria to provide protection against terrorist attacks and infiltration of the camps. They have also been deployed to schools in the North East.
4. A core mandate of NSCDC is the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure (Refineries, Industries, Rail Stations, Mines and Steel, Power sector, Telecommunication, Water Resources). It is worthy to mention that the high rate of vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure which was a regular occurrence in the past has now been greatly reduced with the deployment of more NSCDC officers to man these assets. The Ministry is in the process of conducting a comprehensive census of critical national assets across the country for the purpose of manpower and resource planning for effective protection of these assets.
5. We have established the first ever female response squad to support the safe school initiative of the Federal Government. This squad is being deployed across State commands of the Agency to protect students from being kidnapped in schools, protect critical national assets and respond to crime alerts.
6. We have established a special squad called Transport Marshals to provide protection and security to the transport industry, specifically rail transportation and airports. Also, I have also directed that firefighting trucks should be designated as critical national assets. The implication of this is that a rapid response squad will provide security to officers of the Federal Fire Service whenever they are responding to fire calls.
7. We have commenced a review of the Private Guard Companies Act 1986. The PGC Act 1986 has become obsolete and no longer address the realities of the private security industry. The objective of the proposed Private Security Industry Bill is to revamp the Private Security Industry in Nigeria, standardize and professionalize the Private Security Industry in line with best practices. It is also an effort to integrate the Private Security Industry into the internal security architecture to complement the State Security Actors particularly in the area of community intelligence gathering.
8. In line with the above, NSCDC is working with relevant stakeholders to establish standard Private Security Training Centers across the country with standard curriculum that emphasizes not only man guarding but internal security, intelligence gathering, oversight on national assets and disaster management. This initiative is expected to enhance the capacity of private security practitioners in the country, professionalize the job, create more well-paying jobs and enhance internal security.
9. The Ministry is fully aware of the role of proliferation of illegal firearms in the current level of insecurity across the country. The Ministry has mandated NSCDC to set up a special squad to support recovery of illegal arms across the country. Targets have been set and constitute part of the Key Performance Indicators for NSCDC, which shall be reviewed monthly. We expect the successful implementation of this initiative to reduce the proliferation of arms and ammunitions in Nigeria and ultimately enhance internal security.
10. Part of the mandate of the Corps is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Officers are being trained on this and have deployed their skill to settle a number of community clashes, farmers/herders clash, as well as ethno-religious conflicts across the country. We continue to strengthen the intelligence gathering capability of the Corps particularly considering the fact that the officers live among the citizenries.
11. Gentlemen of the press, it is important to mention that the scope of the activities and operations of NSCDC has significantly increased since the advent of this administration. To effectively rise to the new challenges and position the Corps for the future, the Ministry has embarked on manpower audit of NSCDC. The audit is to assess the Corps’ current human resources vis-à-vis the existing ranks, job functions, trainings and compatibility with the new security challenges being faced and manpower gap arising from the sharp increase in the number of critical national assets to be protected. A psychometric evaluation of all the officers of the Corps will also be carried out to establish those that are fit and proper to carry arms. It is the vision of the Ministry to elevate the status of NSCDC to an elite paramilitary Corps that Nigerians will be proud of.
Civil Defence Corrections Immigration and Fire Board (CDCIFB)
CDCFIB is charged with the responsibility for the recruitment, promotion and discipline of all officers of the paramilitary Agencies under the Ministry of Interior. Our vision for the Board includes the following:
i. To have a technology driven recruitment process that is seamless for applicants and designed to reduce recruitment error, enhance the performance of the paramilitary Agencies.
ii. To have a promotion process that encourages continuous learning and personal development of officers through an e-learning portal and ensure a transparent and effective promotion exercise that identifies and rewards deserving officers in the para-military Agencies.
iii. To enhance discipline across the ranks in the para-military Agencies and ensure that misconduct and unprofessional practices are not tolerated.
1. In pursuit of this vision, for the first time in the history of the Ministry we adopted Computer Based Test for the recruitment of officers into the paramilitary Agencies. Hitherto, recruitment was paper based and often led to chaotic situations at examination centers and even loss of life. The Ministry entered into a partnership with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to conduct the Computer Based Test for the recent recruitment by the Board using JAMB accredited centers nationwide. This has eliminated the chaotic situations applicants go through to write application exams. It has also eliminated any form of corruption in the process and made it more transparent. This would be standard practice going forward. Over 19,335 officers have been recruited in the period under review. This comprise of 2,200 for FFS, 7,745 for NCoS, 4,390 for NIS and 5,000 for NSCDC.
2. The Board is in discussion with stakeholders for the setting up of e-learning portal that will provide continuous and mandatory learning and personal development for officers.
3. In the quest to boost personnel morale and ensure higher productivity, the Board has promoted 27,025 paramilitary personnel between September 2019 to date, the highest number by any Administration.
At the moment, the 2021 promotion exercise is ongoing for over 40,000 eligible officers at the end of which at least 30,000 would be promoted based on the available vacancies declared by the paramilitary Agencies. In addition, it is also to be noted that we now engage private monitors to invigilate the exams across the zones to ensure the integrity of the process.
4. In our effort to enhance the morale and image of the paramilitary Agencies, the Board Secretariat has been remodeled to reflect the new vision of a forward looking, innovative and responsive organization.
5. The Board has commenced the process of periodic Performance Appraisal of Heads of the paramilitary Agencies under the Ministry with specific Key Performance Indicators towards achieving the Presidential mandate on provision of security for all. As Chairman of the Board, I have directed the Board Secretary to design a Performance Appraisal template along the KPIs that would ensure that we achieve the directive of Mr President to ensure that we provide security for all citizens. This Performance Appraisal is to ensure that all of the paramilitary Agencies are focused on the delivery of the mandate of their respective Agencies and eliminate any form of complacency. Leadership is responsibility and as a Ministry we want to hold our Heads of Agencies accountable.
Headquarters of the Ministry
1. For the first time in the history of the Ministry we introduced Quarterly Performance Review meetings for the Ministry and its agencies. This is to regularly review and monitor performance and ensure that we remain focused on our Key Performance Indicators from the 9 priority areas of this administration as well as our other mandates. The goal is to promote service delivery to Nigerians. The meeting also helps to identify challenges and address them quickly.
2. Similarly, we have introduced Quarterly Performance Review meetings with all Service Providers engaged by the Ministry and its Agencies. It is designed to review the operations of the service providers to ensure that Nigeria and Nigerians continue to get value from the partnership and proffer solutions to challenges they may encounter in the course of rendering service under the contract. The objective is to track performance and ensure better service delivery to Nigerians and others benefitting from the services arising from the Public Private Partnership.
3. The Ministry has updated the Expatriate Quota handbook. This updated version is designed to strengthen the administration of expatriate quota in Nigeria and achieve its objective of industrializing Nigeria and creating jobs for its citizens. The updated version also took into consideration Executive Order 001 on the ease of doing business in Nigeria while aligning the revised document with the country’s current reality and best practices. Our objective is to use the updated guidelines on Expatriate Quota administration as a vehicle for industrialization and job creation for Nigerians through the enforcement of the conditions for approving the quota and at the same time enhancing internal security by eliminating fraudulent applications and identifying illegal expatriates who are undocumented and who may pose a danger to the peace and stability of the nation.
Between 2019 and October 2021, over 87,000 expatriate quotas were granted, 951 business permits were granted and 598 licenses were issued to public places of worship for the conduct of statutory marriages.
4. We recently inaugurated a Ministerial Task Force on the Monitoring of Expatriate Quota. The primary objective is to audit, monitor and enforce the conditions for the approval of expatriate quota and foreign business permit. Nigerians may wish to note that one of the conditions for the approval of Expatriate Quota is that for every expatriate position, the company must employ two (2) Nigerians to understudy the expatriate. Thus, from 2019 to date, 153,720 direct jobs have been created through the understudy program.
It is also a condition that the Nigerian understudies will be exposed to local and foreign training in line with the profile of the job. It is expected that this monitoring and audit process will open up job opportunities for Nigerians. The task force has since commenced work. The Ministry is resolved to enforce the conditions under which expatriate quota approvals were given.
It is also worthy of mention that the Ministry has established a new Monitoring Division to inspect organizations prior to the grant of expatriate quotas and public places of worship prior to issuance of license to conduct statutory marriage. The Division also investigates petitions against expatriate quota malpractices and enforces provisions of the various Acts and Guidelines for expatriate quotas, citizenship, statutory marriages and licenses to conduct marriages.
5. We have commenced the process of expansion of statutory marriage registries across the country. In the period under review, five (5) new Federal Marriage Registries have been established in Benin, Kano, Jos, Owerri and Port Harcourt. We are in the process of establishing at least 20 more. Our goal is to set up at least one Federal Marriage Registry in each of the senatorial zones where statutory marriages are patronized. The objective is to make statutory marriage process easier and closer to the people who require the services.
6. I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the “Legal Notices” contained in the 2nd Schedule to the Marriage Act (MA) have been amended, approved by Mr President and published in the Federal Official Gazette of 16th April, 2021, Volume 108. The review of other sections of the Marriage Act are being processed. As a result of this, the discord between Local Government Marriage Registries and Federal Marriage Registries are brought to an end. By virtue of these Notices, the Local Government Marriage Registries are brought into the fold as they are now recognized and authorized to conduct Statutory Marriages upon fulfilment of certain administrative guidelines.
7. To complement the activities of the various security agencies, the Ministry has implemented the Nigeria Internal Security and Public Alert System (NISPSAS). It is an integrated mobile application developed to assist the public access prompt response to emergencies and public safety concerns. NISPSAS is available as an App on android and IoS phones. We have also established a Command & Control Room where all alerts are monitored and coordinated real time.
8. We consider the mandate of the Ministry to be critical to national development. For this reason, the Ministry has commenced the process of developing its first ever strategic plan for the next 5 years. You may recall that upon assumption of office as Minister of Interior, we held the first ever Annual Ministerial Strategy Retreat in January 2020. The 5-year strategic plan will serve as the roadmap on how the Ministry would go about its mandate of securing the homeland and provide a clear idea to stakeholders on the direction the Ministry wants to go in providing internal security as well as other services provided by the Ministry and its Agencies. The idea is to create a shared vision and systems thinking in the Ministry with all the paramilitary agencies complementing each other towards a common goal. Our second Annual Ministerial Strategy Retreat where the strategic plan will be ratified is expected to hold in Ilorin in December 2021.
CONCLUSION
In concluding, gentlemen of the press, let me state that the Ministry and its Agencies are determined to achieve the Presidential and Ministerial mandates by evolving approaches to internal security, public safety and citizenship integrity driven by innovation, people, technology and systems, in addition to robust collaboration with critical stakeholders. We are determined to make our services available to the public in a seamless and customer centric manner.
Our promise is to keep improving on services we render to the public and delivering on our mandate and we thank Mr President and Council for the support we have received in that regard.
I thank you all for your kind attention and God bless.
Rauf Aregbesola
Minister of Interior.
