President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters in Abuja, hailing it as a major step forward in the country’s digital transformation journey.
The complex, which has achieved certification with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and integrated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is designed to enhance the efficiency and security of Nigeria’s migration and border management processes.
In his keynote address, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity, saying that despite political differences, Nigerians are one family living in the same house but in different rooms.
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He commended the Interior Minister, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his developmental strides, particularly in resolving the passport crisis, which has given Nigeria a great reputation internationally.
The BATTIC complex is a multi-faceted facility that includes a Command-and-Control Centre for Regular Migration, which enables real-time monitoring and management of migration patterns.
It also features a NIS Data Centre and Visa Approval Centre, which provides a one-stop shop for visa applications and streamlines data management.
Additionally, the complex has an Interior Data Centre that facilitates seamless communication and data sharing among agencies, as well as a Passport Personalization Centre that enhances passport production and security.
Furthermore, the complex is equipped with an ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) Centre, which provides a travel document for West African countries, and a 0.5KW Solar Farm that powers the complex sustainably.
The complex is expected to enhance Nigeria’s national security framework, streamline migration management, and prevent illegal crossings.
With its advanced analytics, BATTIC will allow for better monitoring of migration patterns, control of border points, and prevention of security threats.
The Interior Minister, Dr. Tunji-Ojo, highlighted the complex’s benefits, including real-time monitoring of over 200 border posts, harmonization of data among agencies, and efficient response to security threats. He also noted that the complex is not just about immigration but a centre point for all agencies in the Ministry of Interior to work together harmoniously.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, praised the project as an example of interministerial cooperation between Interior and Aviation, which has been years in the making.