The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has called on its personnel to strengthen cybersecurity vigilance and promptly report suspected digital threats as part of efforts to protect sensitive national information and critical government infrastructure. The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, gave the directive during the Service’s 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar held at its headquarters in Abuja on October 29. Nandap, represented by the Deputy Comptroller General of Finance and Accounts, S.B. Daura, stressed that protecting the Service’s digital systems was essential to national security, border management and migration control.
The Comptroller General described cybersecurity as a collective responsibility, urging officers to comply strictly with established security protocols and adopt responsible digital practices in their daily operations. She also called for continuous personnel training, stronger institutional collaboration and proactive measures to address emerging cyber threats. The directive comes amid growing reliance on digital systems for managing immigration records, processing travel documents and handling sensitive personal information, making the protection of these systems increasingly important.
The seminar featured cybersecurity experts from the Department of State Services, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency. Their presentations examined cybercrime prevention, data protection, privacy, critical infrastructure security and the human risks associated with digital workplaces. A plenary session facilitated by Galaxy Backbone Limited also explored practical approaches to securing government systems through interagency cooperation and improved cybersecurity management.
The Service said it would continue strengthening its cybersecurity framework through technology upgrades, capacity development and collaboration with relevant institutions. The initiative highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity awareness among public sector employees, as human error, compromised credentials and failure to follow security procedures can expose sensitive government information to unauthorised access. For the NIS, improving digital security is central to protecting immigration data, maintaining the integrity of its operations and supporting Nigeria’s wider national security objectives.