No Safe Haven For Human Traffickers: FG’s Bold Move Against Organised Immigration Crime

During the Border Security Summit at Lancaster House in London—hosted by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the need for stronger international partnerships and improved data sharing to tackle the root causes of immigration crime.

“We must focus on data sharing and collaboration to not only address the problem but also prevent it from occurring,” the Minister remarked.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged countries within the Sahel and West African sub-region to enhance cooperation in border management and information dissemination. He lauded the summit as both timely and impactful, offering a platform for ministers to develop proactive strategies for securing national borders.

“The key takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactiveness rather than merely reacting, as nations are increasingly moving towards criminalizing irregular migration,” he noted. “This gathering is crucial as it enables border control ministers to strategize effectively to safeguard our nations.”

The Minister pointed out that Organised Immigration Crime is a global challenge requiring a shared commitment and joint action.

He also detailed the strategic steps Nigeria has taken to bolster its border security, highlighting the deployment of automated systems to secure entry points and reduce irregular migration.

“Nigeria’s border control solution is robust because the country serves as both a destination and transit point. We have automated our systems and implemented additional measures to enhance border security,” he said. “We must be proactive to prevent challenges from escalating, and this summit demonstrates our collective resolve to tackle the issue.”

Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has significantly invested in migration management and border security from 2023 to 2025. Upgrades include improved surveillance technology and additional operational vehicles to monitor extensive border regions, aiming to curb trans-border crime and irregular migration.

The London summit, attended by representatives from approximately 40 countries, seeks to promote international cooperation in addressing Organised Immigration Crime and strengthening global migration management strategies.