- Some Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officers vowed to embark on protest over unpaid promotion arrears
- NIS leadership appealed to personnel to steer clear of strike action, urging professionalism
- Minister Tunji-Ojo ordered investigation into payment delays amid officers’ protest plan
A fraction of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) personnel have declared their intention to press forward with a protest, demanding payment of their promotion arrears and the government's action to update their salary scale following promotions.
They made it clear that there would be no turning back on their planned protest, even though NIS leadership, under Comptroller-General Kemi Nanna Nandap, has tried to convince them otherwise.
NIS, NSCDC, others express frustration over salary deductions
Recall that it was reported on Saturday, November 30, that officers from the Nigeria Prisons Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and NIS expressed frustration over unpaid promotion arrears and salary deductions made by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.
These officers appealed to President Bola Tinubu for intervention, urging an investigation into the reasons behind the non-payment of their allowances, despite funds having been allocated. They also highlighted that their counterparts in the Federal Fire Service and other Ministry of Interior agencies had already received their promotions and benefits.
In response, Ahmed Ja'afaru, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board, assured the officers that a thorough investigation was being conducted to resolve the issue.
“The attention of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board has been drawn to an online publication of complaints from officers of the paramilitary services under its purview, alleging deductions from their salaries by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, as well as delays in the payment of promotion arrears.
“Consequently, the Minister/Chairman of the Board, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed that a comprehensive investigation be carried out forthwith by the Board on the matter while calling on officers of the paramilitary services to remain calm.
“The Board wishes to assure our dedicated officers of its commitment to achieving a swift and positive resolution to these matters,” Ja’afaru stated.
NIS leadership urges officers against strike action
Subsequently, the NIS advised its officers to uphold professionalism and steer clear of strike action. This was communicated in an internal memo by Adamu Duguri, Comptroller of the Gombe State Command.
He said, “I wish to inform all personnel of the command that the Service Headquarters has taken note of your yearning and the Service Headquarters is aware of the concerns raised regarding last month's deductions and other related discrepancies.
“Please rest assured that the Service is diligently working to address this issue and implement effective command long-term solutions. As discipline personnel. I must emphasise the importance of maintaining order and professionalism.
“I urge you not to heed any ill-advised suggestion of striking, as this contravenes PSR 030413, which stickily prohibited personnel from engaging in strikes or any activities that disrupt public service. Your cooperation and commitment to duty are vital as we work together to resolve this matter.”
Nigeria's new migration control centre to monitor international airports in real-time
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Nigerian Government launched the Regular Migration Control Centre at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS)
The centre aimed to provide real-time monitoring of all international airports and integration with global databases, including INTERPOL, to track passengers' travel history.