Nigeria Immigration Enhances Passenger Experience at MMIA with Capacity Building Programme

Nigeria Immigration Enhances Passenger Experience at MMIA with Capacity Building Programme
NIS Comptroller of the MMIA Command, Odide Kalu (middle), Facilitator of the programme, Mr. Fela Durotoye (right) and another resource person, Mr. Victor Ani-Laju (left)

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched a comprehensive capacity-building programme aimed at elevating the standard of service delivery at the airport. 

This initiative is designed to improve the experience of passengers travelling through the gateway, ensuring that they leave with memorable and positive impressions.

According to the Comptroller of the MMIA Command, Odide Kalu, the programme is part of the NIS’s broader strategy to enhance the skills and professionalism of its officers. 

Kalu emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Service’s commitment to service excellence, which is underpinned by professionalism, respect, and integrity. 

He noted that the continuous investment in the capacity development of NIS personnel is crucial for maintaining the high standards expected at one of the country’s most important entry points.

“The NIS is dedicated to pushing for service excellence, and this can only be achieved by equipping our personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge. 

“This programme is just one of many engagement initiatives aimed at re-orienting our officers to ensure they treat travellers with the utmost respect and professionalism,” Kalu said.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Yarus, highlighted that human capital development has become a central focus within the NIS under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Kemi Nandap. 

Yarus described the current training exercise as the first phase of a broader initiative that will see additional training sessions rolled out in the coming days.

Facilitator and Lead Speaker at the programme, Mr. Fela Durotoye, urged NIS personnel to recalibrate their approach to service delivery to reflect the values of humility, collaboration, respect, and appreciation. 

Speaking on the theme “Value-Based Leadership for Service Excellence,” Durotoye emphasized that these values are essential for creating a lasting positive impression on passengers.

“To make a significant impact on passengers travelling through the airport, NIS officers must focus on building trust and delivering service in a manner that enhances the overall experience,” Durotoye remarked. 

He stressed the importance of a paradigm shift in how services are rendered, encouraging officers to add value through their conduct and to contribute to the NIS’s reputation positively.

Durotoye also revealed plans to extend the training programme to the 14 agencies operating at the airport, aiming to ensure that all personnel involved in passenger processing work towards a unified standard of service excellence. 

This project, dubbed “One Impression,” seeks to create a consistent and pleasant experience for all travellers.

Supporting Durotoye’s message, another resource person, Mr. Victor Ani-Laju, emphasised the importance of purposeful leadership. 

He encouraged the personnel to apply the lessons from the training to their daily responsibilities, ensuring that the improved standards become a permanent feature of their service delivery.

This capacity-building initiative marks a significant step forward in the NIS’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations at the MMIA, ultimately enhancing Nigeria’s image in the eyes of international travellers.

Tersoo Agber

Journalist, Travel enthusiast, PR consultant, Content manager/editor, Online publisher.