The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is governmental organization responsible for border security and migration management in Nigeria. It was established by the Act of Parliament in 1963. In 2015, the 1963 Act was repealed and replaced with the Immigration Act 2015 which positions the service with the legal instrument to combat Smuggling of Migrant(SOM) in Nigeria.
History
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was separated from the Nigeria Police (NP) in August 1958, known at that time as the Immigration Department and headed by the Chief Federal Immigration Officer (CFIO).
The Immigration Department was established by an Act of Parliament (Cap 171, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) on August 1, 1963, when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was the Minister of Internal Affairs (a position now referred to as Minister of Interior).
The initial Law regulating Immigration Duties was the Immigration Act of 1963 which was amended in 2014 and again in 2015 (Immigration Act, 2015).
The Service has from 1963 been restructured to manage modern migration in line with global, regional and sub-regional political alignments.
The NIS has leveraged the use of Information and Communication Technologies in its operations including: The introduction of the Machine Readable electronic passport (MRP) in 2007 The creation of a Service website (www.immigration.gov.ng) and portal (portal.immigration.gov.ng) Global Passport intervention in line with the Federal Government Policy on Citizenship Diplomacy Forensic laboratory services for the examination of travel documents and monetary instruments The introduction of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)
As empowered by Section 2 the Immigration Act, 2015, the Service is responsible for: The control of persons entering or leaving Nigeria The issuance of travel documents, including Nigerian passports, to bonafide Nigerians within and outside Nigeria The issuance of residence permits to foreigners in Nigeria Border surveillance and patrol Enforcement of laws and regulations with which they are directly charged; and The performance of such para-military duties within or outside Nigeria as may be required of them under the authority of this Act or any other enactment
Enabling Instruments
Nigerian Immigration Act 2015
Immigration Regulation 2017
Immigration Manual 2019
Standard Operating Procedure for Combating SOM 2019
Nigerian Visa Policy 2020
Lists of Leadership
E. H. Harrison, Esq (Chief Federal Immigration Officer) from 1962 - 1966
J. E. Onugogu, Esq (Chief Federal Immigration Officer) from 1966 - 1967
Alayedeino, Esq (Chief Federal Immigration Officer) from 1967 - 1976
Alhaji Aliyu Muhammed (Director of Immigration) from 1977 - 1979
Alhaji Lawal Sambo (Director of Immigration) from 1979 -1985
Muhammed Damulak, Esq (Director of Immigration) from 1985 - 1990
Alhaji Garba Abbas (last Director of Immigration, 1st Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 1990 - 1995 Alhaji Sahabi Abubakar (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 1995 - 1999 Alhaji U. K. Umar (Acting Comptroller-General Immigration Service - Ag. CGIS) from 1999 - 2000 Lady U. C. Nwizu (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2000 - 2004 Mr. Chukwurah Joseph Udeh (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2005 - 2010 Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2010 - 2013 Rilwan Bala Musa, mni (Acting Comptroller-General Immigration Service - Ag. CGIS) 2013 David Shikfu Parradang, mni (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2013 - 2015 Martin Kure Abeshi (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2015 - 2016 Muhammed Babandede, MFR (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2016 - 2021 Idris Isah Jere , Acting (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2021 - 2023
Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, (Comptroller-General Immigration Service - CGIS) from 2023 to date.