NIS elevates 106 officers to Comptrollers

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted and decorated 106 officers to Comptrollers of Immigration, reaffirming the service’s commitment to merit-based elevation.

The officers received their new ranks and stripes during the decoration ceremony at NIS headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

Addressing the newly decorated officers, the NIS Comptroller-General, Kemi Nandap, charged them on improved level of responsibility, leadership and accountability.

She reminded the comptrollers that promotion was not only a professional achievement and reward for dedication, but also a declaration of the service's confidence in them.

“Your promotion represents an important milestone in your professional journey. It recognises your years of service, experience, sacrifices and contributions to NIS.

“However, I want to make one thing absolutely clear from the very beginning: promotion is not simply a reward but a declaration of confidence in what you are now expected to deliver.

“The rank that has been conferred on you today is not merely an additional insignia on your shoulders; it is a greater burden of trust and a higher standard of conduct.

“Additionally and most importantly, it is a solemn responsibility to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.

She said that this level of promotion placed the officers at a critical level in the leadership and operational structure of the service.

She added that as comptrollers, they were no longer expected to merely execute instructions but to demonstrate the capacity to interpret policies and exercise sound judgment.

According to her, this position also requires you to anticipate challenges, inspire subordinates and translate strategic objectives into measurable operational results.

“You must move from managing activities to delivering outcomes, from exercising authority to demonstrating leadership and from occupying positions to making meaningful institutional impact.

“The service does not simply need more senior officers; it needs more effective leaders. Leaders who understand that command is not a privilege to enjoy, but a responsibility to discharge.

“Leaders who inspire confidence through personal example, and are courageous enough to make difficult decisions, disciplined enough to uphold standards as well as humble enough to remain accountable.

“Your leadership will not be judged by the number of officers under your command, the size of your office or the privileges attached to your position.

“It will be judged by the discipline of your personnel, the effectiveness of your operations, the integrity of your decisions and the confidence that the public places in the service.”

Nandap noted that their new role was timely as the NIS was undergoing significant institutional reforms that aimed to strengthen national security and modernise border governance.

She charged the officers to lead the service’s drive to improve migration management, enhance service delivery and position the NIS as a professional, intelligence-led and technologically enabled institution.

She acknowledged that the service was modernising its manner of operation, but warned that technology, no matter how sophisticated, could not compensate for weak leadership.

“Technology cannot compensate for poor supervision, indiscipline or the lack of accountability.

“A modern immigration service cannot be built with outdated attitudes, ineffective management practices or a culture of complacency. This is where your leadership becomes indispensable.

“As controllers, you must ensure that our reforms are not merely understood at the headquarters, but are effectively implemented across our commands, border posts, airports and all operational formations.

“You must take ownership of the systems entrusted to your formations, ensure that officers are properly trained, identify operational weaknesses and insist on measurable improvements.

“Our investments must translate into stronger border security, more efficient immigration processes, improved intelligence coordination, better traveller experiences and increased public confidence.

“The success of our transformation agenda will ultimately depend on what happens under your leadership,” she emphasised.

The controller general also warned against abuse of power, corruption, professional negligence, extortion and indiscipline by the newly decorated officers.

“You cannot demand integrity from your subordinates while compromising your own principles. You cannot insist on discipline while tolerating misconduct.

“You definitely cannot expect public confidence where accountability is absent. Leadership begins with personal example.

“I therefore charge you to uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness, transparency and professional conduct,” she added.

She appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government for the continuous support and dedication to the timely promotion of officers.