The Federal Government has announced that the project aimed at deploying automated management solutions across Nigerian borders is now 60% complete.
Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja following an inspection of the e-border management centre and the Command and Control Centre for the electronic gates at airports.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo reported that while the e-border project is nearing completion, the Command and Control Centre for the e-gate project is fully completed and awaiting commissioning by President Bola Tinubu.
“We are pleased to announce that the Command and Control Centre for the e-gate project is now ready for commissioning, and the first phase of the e-border management solution is about 60% complete,” stated the Minister.
During the inspection, the Minister emphasized that the e-border solution encompasses both air and land borders, which are particularly porous.
“Our current focus is on automating the entire surveillance system of our borders in real-time. We can now monitor several border areas, though I won’t disclose specifics. By October, we expect Phase 1 of the border surveillance system to be completed, enabling us to monitor and detect activities kilometers away from the border before individuals even enter Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the interactive features of the system, which allows border residents to communicate directly in emergencies and report issues promptly.
This system aims to ensure that reports lead to swift actions, enhancing border security.
“The objective is to make our borders as interactive and secure as possible. President Tinubu believes that a secure border is essential for a secure nation. Therefore, this administration is committed to leaving no stone unturned in its quest to make Nigeria a safe country,” he added.
In 2019, the Federal Executive Council approved N52 billion for the purchase of e-border surveillance systems, part of a broader effort to enhance border monitoring through technology.
The system, once fully implemented, is expected to provide real-time information from major border posts across the country.
However, the project did not commence until 2022. In the second quarter of 2022, then Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Alhaji Isah Idris, announced that the government had signed an agreement with a Chinese company to install surveillance cameras at 84 border locations.
Since then, progress has been slow, with the Interior Ministry citing funding shortages as the primary reason for delays in implementation.
