By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Nigeria Immigration Service has launched a nationwide cybersecurity training programme to strengthen data protection and guard against digital threats across its formations.
The initiative, unveiled this week, targets officers and staff at zonal, state and divisional commands. It is designed to equip personnel with practical skills for identifying, preventing and responding to cyber risks in day-to-day operations.
Speaking at the flag-off, NIS leadership said the rollout comes as government agencies face growing cyberattacks and increasing reliance on digital platforms for service delivery. “With the volume of personal and travel data we handle, every officer must be a first line of defence,” a senior official noted.
The training covers key areas such as phishing detection, secure password management, data privacy compliance, safe use of public networks, and incident reporting protocols. Participants will also be taken through Nigeria’s data protection regulations and NIS internal security standards.
Officials explained that the programme will be delivered in phases to reach commands across the 36 states and the FCT. Each phase will combine hands-on sessions, simulations and assessments to ensure officers can apply the lessons on the job.
The Service said the rollout aligns with broader government efforts to secure critical infrastructure and build cyber resilience within public institutions. It added that continuous retraining will be introduced to keep staff updated as cyber threats evolve.
With e-passport issuance, visa processing and border management systems now largely digital, NIS said the training is critical to maintaining public trust and protecting national security data.
The programme is expected to run through the coming months, with follow-up sessions and monitoring mechanisms built in to measure impact across commands.
