Maiduguri  - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a new Personnel Training Resource Centre (PTRC) at the Borno State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).  This intervention is carried out within the framework of project titled “NIS Training Strategy Implementation Programme -Phase 2 (TSI-2) project.  

The NIS Training Strategy Implementation Programme Project is a continuation of the pilot phase which is targeted to enhance the fundamental capacity of border officials in dealing with migration issues and to increase awareness on the need to continually improve and monitor the quality of border security and management.  To date, over 2,891 NIS officers and 190 NAPTIP officers have been trained across the eight established Personnel Training Resource Centres (PTRCs) in the country located at NIS Headquarters, Abuja, Anambra, Edo, Cross River, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos and Ogun State Commands.   

“Borno state is unique in the sense that it is the only state in Nigeria that shares boundaries with three countries, Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republic. The management of NIS places a very high premium on capacity building as a requisite tool for combatting the ever-evolving border crimes that affect national security. I therefore urge all Officers and Men of Borno State command to ensure good use of the facility” said Isah Jere, Controller General of Immigration Service.  

This project is an outcome of the assessment of the NIS training system carried out by IOM in 2014. The assessment revealed an over-reliance on long courses offered at the Service’s four training institutions, thus, resulting in many years of wait before entering a course.  

To mitigate the detected gap, IOM in collaboration with NIS developed a new NIS Training Strategy which was officially adopted by NIS in 2015. The strategy suggested the need to bring trainings close to NIS through established training centres serving as learning hubs, situated at NIS commands, which are equipped with training materials, IT and solar power system for uninterrupted power supply during training.   

“In addition to providing capacity building support to NIS, IOM supports in enhancing NIS migration data through its Border Management Information System, MIDAS at land borders, seaports and airports. IOM also provides emergency response to the crisis which has affected the state hence the need to enhance the border management activities”, noted Vedharaniyam KARUPPIAH , Head of IOM Sub Office, Maiduguri.  

The Borno State Command of the NIS is considered to have a  large migration and border operations in the country arising from the increasing displaced populations within the country and neighboring countries. The newly established PTRC is equipped with solar power, 8 computer systems, the Learning Management System (LMS), furniture and other relevant training materials & equipment for the training of NIS Personnel and sister agencies like NAPTIP and PHS.   

A training curriculum, trainers’ guide and LMS were developed for the PTRCs to enable NIS officers to have access to regular fundamental trainings on the legal frameworks, policies and regulations governing the operations of the NIS. Similarly, a component of a joint training activity between NIS and the NAPTIP was included to boost synergy and interagency coordination and cooperation between both agencies in handling migration challenges related to migrants smuggling and human trafficking in the country.   

The project “Training Strategy Implementation Project (TSI Phase 2) is funded by the Government of Netherlands.  

For more information, please contact Mariam Owoeye at IOM Nigeria, Email: mowoeye@iom.int  OR IOMNIGERIA@iom.int