On Tuesday the 18th of February, the United States (U.S) Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Beth Leonard announced the conditions given by the U.S to review the travel ban policy placed on Nigeria. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at the ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.

Last month, the U.S placed a travel ban policy on six African countries Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria. However, the U.S ambassador during her visit emphasized on the U.S’ plan to review its travel ban restrictions on Nigeria, if the country can meet certain criteria. One of which is that once Nigeria improves its data intelligence, it would be easy to investigate any immigrant wishing to visit the United States and meet information-sharing systems, then the ban might likely be reviewed.

According to the U.S Ambassador, Nigeria has a problem with information sharing that is investigable, achievable and resolvable. She further said the U.S is looking forward to Nigeria, being able in a short period of time to meet those information-sharing goals so that the decision can be reviewed.

Mrs Leonard explained that the immigration policy does not affect people currently resident in the US, Students’ visas are not affected by the current visa ban and that people residing in the countries listed can still visit the U.S as tourists.

Nigeria is, however, making efforts in enhancing its data intelligence system. In 2018, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) warned against issuing passports without an identification number from the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC). With the identification number from NIMC, authorities would be able to track Nigerians anywhere in the world.

Also, the establishment of a National Intelligence Unit at the NIS HQ in the capital Abuja will allow authorities to process raw information and develop intelligence packages for dissemination to appropriate Nigerian law enforcement agencies. Nigeria became an IOM member state in 2002 and experiences

Last week, Nigeria completed the construction of the NIS top-up technology building, data command, and control centre in Abuja. From the building, officials can get a clear view of the Nigerian borders, it also has facilities that provide online information on all borders and shows proper documentation of all passengers at the point of arrival and departure.

This will also help to connect and share information with Nigeria’s security partners and security agencies while meeting international standards. With this centre, the Nigerian government will be able to curb the issue of illegal migration within and outside the country.  With Consistent running and proper management, there would be a massive improvement in Nigeria’s data intelligence, thereby leading to the possible removal of the country from the U.S travel ban list.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria also spoke on the diversification policy. She said there was a need for Nigerians with skills to export them so that they will not be seen as illegal immigrants when they go abroad to work. “I think for Nigeria, you have an interesting story about the diversification of your economy and the prosperity of your economy and its people. You know Nigerians are so well known at home and abroad for their industriousness” she said.

Mr Ngige, while interacting with the Ambassador, said a total of 14,000 labour inspections had been done, out of which about 3,900 child labour defaulters were detected and empowered economically.

In January the U.S president Donald Trump announced his plans to add six more Countries to the U.s travel ban list. This was based on a review made by the Department of Homeland Security of countries and considered to what extent the countries share information on passports and prospective bad actors, as well as whether the country poses an elevated national security risk in relation to crime, terrorism and illegal immigration.

Since the announcement, Nigeria has been making efforts in removing itself from the list by strengthening its data intelligence and monitoring the in and out of illegal migrants.