Ogona Anita
Eleven years after ECOWAS Heads of Immigration first recommended a unified biometric identity system, Nigeria has become the seventh country to officially roll out the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC).
The new credential replaces the outdated ECOWAS travel certificate and resident permit, enabling seamless regional mobility for millions across West Africa.
Unveiling the card in Abuja, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the ENBIC establishes a modern identity foundation where “no one can hide under anonymity,” stressing that national security begins with accurate identification.
According to the minister, the biometric ID will aid security agencies in tackling irregular migration, dismantling cross-border criminal networks, and strengthening intelligence operations. He clarified that he supports migration but insists that movement “must be regular, regulated, and visible.”
Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted that the 2014 ECOWAS Heads of Immigration Forum in Banjul endorsed accelerating the rollout of ENBIC and abolishing the restrictive 90-day stay limit for citizens of the sub-region to improve security and competitiveness.
Anchoring the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s governance philosophy, the minister said:
The Renewed Hope Agenda is about building systems, not slogans… This administration does not dwell on promises — our interest is in what we have delivered.”
He added that although the project suffered years of delay, President Tinubu’s insistence on accelerated implementation “moved the process instantly,” culminating in today’s official rollout.
A New Era for Identity, Border Security, and Regional Mobility
The minister described ENBIC as the backbone of a modern identity and national security system built on advanced public key infrastructure and aligned with ICAO standards. He said the card will also reduce pressure on Nigerian passport issuance.
“If you are travelling within ECOWAS, you no longer need a passport. This card is adequate for all intra-regional travel,” he announced.
The ENBIC launch builds on broader reforms, including Nigeria’s deployment of the UN-mandated Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) in 2024 and an upcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to aid stranded citizens from January.
Nigeria Reaffirms Regional Leadership
Representing the SGF, Permanent Secretary Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma said the rollout demonstrates Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to regional unity. Describing the card as both symbolic and practical, he called it “a tool of dignity” for vulnerable migrants and a catalyst for cross-border trade.
He urged member states to accelerate deployment and harmonise databases to achieve a fully interoperable regional identity system. He also encouraged fintech innovators to build digital solutions on the new platform.
A Technological and Economic Game Changer
Comptroller-General of Immigration Kemi Nandap described the launch as historic, noting that ENBIC is built on high-quality biometric and cryptographic standards. She said it will improve verification, curb document fraud, and weaken cross-border criminal syndicates.
Beyond security, she highlighted the economic benefits: strengthened commerce, enhanced labor mobility, improved tourism, and shorter border procedures across West Africa.
Officials representing ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray commended Nigeria for strong regional leadership, disclosing that ENBIC is the first step in a broader biometric ecosystem planned for the region.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also hailed the launch as a major step toward secure mobility and improved migration governance.
ENBIC now stands as a modern, secure, biometric-backed identity document set to reshape travel, security, and economic integration across West Africa.
