The Nigeria Immigration Service on Thursday inaugurated 108 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit desk officers across its formations nationwide, as part of efforts to strengthen integrity and accountability within the service.
The Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, who hosted the ceremony at the service headquarters in Abuja, said it marked a deliberate milestone in the collective effort to entrench a proactive, grassroots framework for ethical governance through the deployment of ACTU desk officers across all formations.
“We are gathered not merely to inaugurate officers, but to entrench a proactive, grassroots architecture for ethical governance,” Nandap said in her keynote address.
She noted that the establishment of ACTU desks represented a strategic shift from a predominantly centralised, reactive model to a decentralised, preventive and culture-shaping framework, describing the newly inaugurated officers as “the foundation of this transformation.”
Of the 108 officers, 12 are stationed at the service headquarters, while 96 were drawn from state commands and formations nationwide.
Only the headquarters-based desk officers took the oath of allegiance at the ceremony, administered by an Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission legal officer, Nkem Ezenwa.
The remaining officers were expected to be sworn in at their respective commands.
Nandap said the selection of the officers followed a rigorous process that prioritised proven integrity, courage and sound judgment.
“You are not mere additions to the establishment. You are ethical champions, standard bearers, and first responders within your respective formations,” she said.
The Comptroller General outlined three core responsibilities for the desk officers, anchored on enlightenment, deterrence and punishment.
On enlightenment, she charged them to lead sustained ethical reorientation through continuous education and awareness, noting that regular sensitisation on laws, service regulations and ethical standards would promote professionalism and internalised integrity.
On deterrence, Nandap said the officers would serve as confidential and credible channels for officers and members of the public to report grievances, misconduct or unethical behaviour.
On punishment, she directed them to work closely with Command Comptrollers and the ACTU at headquarters to ensure that proven cases of misconduct were addressed in line with extant laws and regulations.
“This includes monitoring compliance with transparency initiatives, such as the transparent auction of seized items, and enforcing service standards in passport administration, visa processing and border operations, ensuring that violations attract clear and proportionate sanctions,” she said.
Addressing command comptrollers and heads of formations, Nandap said the effectiveness of the desk officers depended largely on institutional support.
“You must provide an enabling environment that allows them to function without fear, obstruction or intimidation. Their mandate is not to undermine command authority, but to reinforce it,” she said.
Speaking directly to the desk officers, she urged them to remain resolute despite possible resistance or misunderstanding.
“Your integrity is your shield, and you carry the unequivocal backing of the Service leadership.
“Be fair, be firm, and be fearless in the pursuit of a transparent, more respected Nigeria Immigration Service,” she charged.
Nandap declared that the inauguration underscored the Service’s zero tolerance for corruption under her leadership.
“We are resolutely committed to building an institution that commands the respect of Nigerians and earns the confidence of the international community,” she said.
The ICPC chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, represented by Olusegun Adigun, said an efficient Immigration Service manned by a well-trained and motivated workforce would strengthen national anti-corruption efforts.
“Your role is not to compete with or replace management, but to strengthen efforts in promoting transparency, accountability and ethical practices in the Service,” Adigun said.
He urged management to provide adequate support, including funding, office facilities and representation on standing committees, and encouraged the Service to involve the ICPC in promotion, recruitment and procurement exercises.
In a goodwill message, Lt Col S.H. Sanadi, representing the Chief of Army Staff, said the Nigerian Army had continued to strengthen internal controls to prevent corruption.
“This aims to promote a culture of transparency and enhance public trust, aligning with national anti-corruption efforts,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Finance and Recovery at the Department of State Services, Garba Bello, urged the Service to equip and support the desk officers, stressing the importance of non-kinetic approaches to security challenges.
“The bullet can only kill a terrorist but not the ideology,” he said.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the 108 officers, R.A. Bashiru said the Comptroller General’s digital reforms had “operationalised integrity.”
She said, “For an agency charged with border security and national protection, integrity is not optional; it is foundational.”
She added that the ACTU was not a parallel structure but a support mechanism designed to reinforce discipline, professionalism and ethical conduct within the Service.
Bashiru expressed optimism that the nationwide inauguration marked a shift “from intention to impact and from policy to practice.”
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