The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced plans to introduce Digital Travel Credential (DTC) to facilitate seamless air travel in Nigeria. This development follows a 2-day capacity building training on Advanced Passenger Information/Passenger Name Records (API/PNR) organized by Networks and led by specialists from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for selected Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) personnel.
At the training’s closing ceremony in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo stated, “With the electronic gates installed at our international airports, it will take just 14 seconds to clear Nigerians returning to the country.” He added, “With the API/PNR in place, our personnel can now handle migrants and passengers based on objectivity rather than subjectivity.”
The minister revealed that Nigeria is exploring digital travel certification, emphasizing the government’s willingness to collaborate with IATA. “We are already thinking of our digital travel certificate and other things to do,” he said, assuring that “there is no interagency rivalry that would stall such collaborations.”
Tunji-Ojo praised the API/PNR system, saying, “When we started, we had many vendors, but we chose the best solution. Today, with the API/PNR and e-gates, I can confidently say a Nigerian company has done well.” He acknowledged the President’s vision for the NIS, stating, “The President met an NIS that was just a passports and visa issuing agency, but he wasn’t comfortable with that. Today, under CGIS Kemi Nandap’s leadership, I’m happy to say that NIS is back on track.”
The minister attributed the project’s success to collaboration with the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo. “Before now, infighting between Aviation and Interior stalled the project for 14 years, but we came on board and made it happen because, for us, Nigeria is the winner.”
Earlier, Controller General of Immigration (CGIS) Kemi Nandap disclosed that about 100 personnel had been trained on API/PNR. “This project will help our borders become more secure, facilitate swift clearance of passengers, and enhance compliance with international best practices,” she said.
Nandap explained that API/PNR enables data sharing between airlines and governments, allowing for proactive monitoring of cross-border crimes. “With the API/PNR, we pull data from airlines, telling us who is coming into the country. It will aid effective monitoring of our borders.”
The Digital Travel Credential, a digital representation of a traveler’s identity, enables passengers to share required documentation with governments ahead of travel for approval, providing better oversight of incoming travelers.
“It allows passengers to share required documentation with governments ahead of travel for approval while providing governments better oversight of who is coming into their countries,” Nandap noted.
