The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS has moved to strengthened bilateral cooperation with the United States government, aimed at combating the illicit trafficking and exportation of Nigerian cultural artifacts and antiquities.
This was announced during an interactive meeting on the implementation of the Nigerians Cultural Property Implementation Act held at the IOM Training Centre of the Lagos State Command of the NIS on Friday, May 8, 2026.
It had in attendance the American delegation led by Evans Binkley, alongside representatives from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the FBI Art Crime Team, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Comptroller of the Lagos State Command, Chris Onajinrin, who delivered opening remarks on behalf of the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening international cooperation in the protection and preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
According to him, Nigeria’s cultural artifacts and antiquities remain under threat from looting, illegal excavation, smuggling and unauthorised exportation, stressing that such crimes deprive the country of its historical legacy and weaken cultural identity.
The Comptroller highlighted the role of the Immigration Service in border governance, migration management, intelligence gathering and enforcement coordination, noting that sustained inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven border management remain critical in tackling transnational crimes linked to cultural property trafficking.
“The meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, share intelligence, build capacity and improve strategies for safeguarding our cultural treasures,” he said.
Onajirin also commended the continued support of the United States government and referenced the successful partnership that led to the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the American delegation, Evans Binkley praised the Nigeria Immigration Service for its proactive efforts in border security management and commitment to international collaboration in combating illicit trade in cultural property.
He reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in protecting shared global heritage and strengthening enforcement mechanisms against transnational trafficking networks.
Participants at the meeting also explored avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in improving border control systems, real-time information exchange and coordinated monitoring frameworks to address cultural property-related crimes.
The engagement ended with renewed commitments toward sustained collaboration, continuous stakeholder engagement and collective responsibility in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage while promoting safe, orderly and lawful cross-border movement.
