Over 176 Nigeria Immigration Officers Trained on Hostmanship in Partnership With Dutch Government

 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has taken another bold step in improving the quality of its service delivery by training and certifying more than 176 officers in the art of Hostmanship. This was achieved through a five-day training program organized in partnership with the Repatriation and Departure Service (R&DS) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security, Netherlands.

The training, which brought together officers from State Commands and Special Formations across the country, was carefully designed to build a culture of respect, hospitality, and human dignity within the operations of the Service. Officers from Batches 6 and 7 were selected for this phase, marking another milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

Hostmanship is more than just hospitality. It is a service philosophy that places people at the center of every interaction. The idea is to treat everyone—citizens, migrants, travelers, and visitors—with dignity, kindness, and professionalism. For an organization like the NIS, which deals daily with people from different backgrounds and cultures, Hostmanship training is meant to change the way officers interact with the public and to ensure that Nigeria presents itself as a welcoming and responsible country.

Through the program, participants were taught how to deliver service with empathy, how to improve communication with the public, and how to handle sensitive migration matters with respect. The aim is to build a Service that is not only efficient but also trusted and respected both locally and internationally.

The training did not stop at classroom exercises. After the five days, the Dutch partners conducted a thorough selection process to identify the best officers who had demonstrated exceptional understanding and leadership. Out of the 176 participants, ten outstanding officers were chosen for further intensive training in the Netherlands.

These ten officers will go through advanced evaluation and eventually become certified Hostmanship trainers. Their responsibility will be to return to Nigeria and step down the training to their colleagues across different commands, ensuring that the knowledge spreads and is sustained.

This approach creates a multiplier effect. Rather than only a few benefiting, thousands of immigration officers nationwide will eventually learn from the certified trainers.

During the closing ceremony, Mr. Janwillem Konig, Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Repatriation and Departure Service, praised the Nigeria Immigration Service for embracing Hostmanship. He described the certification of an entire batch of officers at once as a “historic milestone,” noting that it showed the Service’s seriousness about reforming its operations.

According to him, the training is not just about skills but about changing attitudes and creating a new culture of service. He encouraged the certified officers to see themselves as leaders who must set examples for others.

Similarly, His Excellency Mr. Ronald Sonnemans, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Netherlands, expressed admiration for the professionalism of the NIS. He noted that each time he arrives in Nigeria, he experiences the warmth and hospitality of the Service, which gives visitors a positive impression of the country. He added that embedding Hostmanship in immigration operations will help strengthen Nigeria’s image internationally.

In her remarks, the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, appreciated the Government of the Netherlands for its sustained support over the years. She stressed that the collaboration had already started yielding positive results, as more officers now understand the importance of handling their duties with empathy and respect.

The CG assured that the Service would not allow the momentum to drop. She charged the newly certified trainers to share their knowledge widely and to ensure that the philosophy of Hostmanship becomes part of the DNA of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

She also addressed the officers waiting for Batch 8 training, urging them to prepare themselves to represent the Service well and to serve as worthy ambassadors. According to her, “Hostmanship is not a one-time training, it is a lifestyle. It is about changing how we think, how we act, and how we treat people in every situation.”

For years, government agencies in Nigeria have been criticized for poor customer service and unfriendly attitudes. The Nigeria Immigration Service, being a key agency that interacts with both Nigerians and foreigners, recognizes the need to lead by example.

The Hostmanship training addresses exactly this gap. By focusing on human dignity and respect, it helps officers to reduce conflicts with travelers at borders and airports, build trust and confidence among Nigerians and foreigners, improve Nigeria’s global image as a hospitable nation, strengthen professionalism in handling migration issues, and encourage teamwork, empathy, and discipline within the Service.

This training is particularly important at a time when global migration is a sensitive issue. With thousands of people traveling daily, the role of immigration officers goes beyond stamping passports—it is about managing human interactions in ways that reflect Nigeria’s values.

The collaboration between NIS and the Dutch Government is not new, but it has grown stronger with time. By bringing international expertise and standards, the Netherlands is helping to build capacity in Nigeria’s migration system. On the other hand, Nigeria provides a practical environment for applying Hostmanship principles in real-life migration scenarios.

This win-win partnership also creates opportunities for cultural exchange. Nigerian officers traveling to the Netherlands for advanced training will not only learn new methods but also share Nigeria’s experiences with their counterparts abroad. This exchange of knowledge makes the partnership valuable on both sides.

The success of Batches 6 and 7 is only the beginning. With Batch 8 on the way, the Service is determined to expand the training to more officers nationwide. The long-term plan is to institutionalize Hostmanship so that it becomes part of everyday service delivery in all immigration formations.

If sustained, this effort could set the NIS apart as one of the most people-friendly government agencies in the country. It could also inspire other agencies to adopt similar training, thereby improving public service across Nigeria.

For the officers themselves, Hostmanship training is not just a professional achievement—it is a personal one. It equips them with life skills that improve how they relate to colleagues, family, and society. Many participants have described the training as “eye-opening” and “transformative,” saying it has changed how they see their role as public servants.

The successful training of over 176 immigration officers in Hostmanship is a landmark achievement for the Nigeria Immigration Service. It shows a clear commitment to professionalism, respect, and human dignity in service delivery. With the support of the Dutch Government, the Service is on a path to creating a friendlier and more trusted immigration system.

As the newly certified trainers prepare to share their knowledge and Batch 8 officers get ready for their turn, one thing is clear: Hostmanship is no longer just an initiative—it is becoming a culture within the Nigeria Immigration Service. And that culture could redefine how Nigerians and foreigners experience immigration services in the years to come.