The Kingdom of the Netherlands has donated specialised equipment to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Hostmanship Unit in a move aimed at strengthening the Service’s training capacity, improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer-focused service delivery.
The equipment was presented at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja on Monday during a ceremony attended by officials of the NIS and representatives of the Repatriation and Departure Service (R&DS) of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The donation marks another milestone in the longstanding partnership between both institutions, which has focused on migration management, institutional reforms and capacity building over the past two decades.
Receiving the equipment, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, described the gesture as a strategic investment that would strengthen the Service’s reform agenda and improve the quality of services delivered to Nigerians and foreign nationals.
“This donation represents a strategic investment in institutional excellence, professionalism, and a culture of courtesy, empathy and outstanding service,” Nandap said.
She noted that the support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands reflects the confidence of its partners in the ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Immigration Service.
According to her, the equipment will significantly improve the operations of the Hostmanship Unit by expanding its training capacity, boosting operational efficiency and entrenching a customer-centred service culture across the Service.
“The equipment will further enhance the Unit’s training capacity, operational efficiency and the institutionalisation of the Hostmanship philosophy across the Service, where every officer is inspired to make people feel welcomed, respected and valued at every point of contact,” she said.
Nandap stressed that the Service remains committed to building a workforce that combines professionalism with empathy, adding that the Hostmanship initiative has become a key component of efforts to improve public confidence in the Nigeria Immigration Service.
She also assured the donor that the equipment would be put to effective use in line with the objectives of the partnership.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abuja, Ronald Sonnemans, described the relationship between both institutions as an example of successful international cooperation.
“The partnership with the Nigeria Immigration Service is a model of sustained international cooperation,” Sonnemans said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to supporting initiatives that promote effective migration management and strengthen institutional capacity within the Nigeria Immigration Service.
“We remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen migration management and institutional capacity,” he said.
The Nigeria Immigration Service said the partnership has already delivered significant results, including the training of hundreds of immigration officers, the establishment of a dedicated Hostmanship Unit and sustained capacity-building under the European Union-funded Capacity Building and Relationship Management (CBR) Project.
According to the Service, the latest donation further demonstrates the shared resolve of both countries to promote innovation, knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration in migration governance while improving the quality of public service.
The Service noted that the Hostmanship programme has continued to shape the attitude of officers by promoting values of courtesy, respect, empathy and professionalism in every interaction with members of the public.
It added that the collaboration has strengthened institutional capacity and contributed to ongoing reforms aimed at delivering efficient and people-oriented immigration services.
Expressing appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, particularly the Repatriation and Departure Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service thanked its partner for its consistent support and confidence in the Service’s transformation agenda.
“The Service extends its profound gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and specifically to the Repatriation and Departure Service, for its consistent support and confidence in the Service’s reform agenda,” the statement said.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the judicious use of the donated equipment and pledged to sustain the Hostmanship philosophy as part of its broader efforts to strengthen migration management, improve service delivery and build public trust.
“The Service reaffirms its commitment to the judicious use of the donated equipment and remains committed to Hostmanship ideals,” the statement added.