By Ingram Osigwe
When Ngozi Odikpo joined the Nigerian Immigration service on September 24, 1991 as an Assistant Superintendent, she did so with dedication to work and passion for her country in mind. She was determined to contribute her quota to nation building through the Immigration service. 34 years down the line, her illustrious career in the Immigration service, loyalty, dexterity, integrity and hard work have earned her a deserved place in the service’s top echelon with her recent promotion to the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Immigration.
Born 6 February 1966, DCG Odikpo possesses exceptional intellectual prowess, underscored by her outstanding service achievements, including emerging the overall best Cadet in the 27th Basic Course in 1992. Almost three decades later, she replicated the same feat by emerging as the best all-round participant of the 11th Command Course, 2021.
DCG Odikpo exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, rising through the ranks of the Nigeria Immigration Service with distinction, from Assistant Superintendent (ASI) to her new position as DCG.
DCG Odikpo left indelible marks of excellence in all the Immigration positions and commands she had served or held including: Rivers State Command (July 1992 – June 2002):
-Quota Schedule Officer
-Visa Revenue Officer
-Clearance Officer in Port Harcourt International Airport
-Vetting Officer in Passport
Service Headquarters :
(June 2002 – June 2018):
-Head of CG’s Registry:
-Schedule Officer in Visa Counter
-Head Diplomatic Desk
-Head of Intervention and Roll Out Unit:
-SA – CGIS ( Foreign Desk)
Lagos Passport Command (June 2018 –August 2020):
-PCO (FESTAC)
Service Headquarters (August 2020 – June 2021):
-Comptroller (Visa Policy)
Bayelsa State Command (July 2021 – February 2022):
-Comptroller in Charge
Anambra State Command (February 2022 – February 2023):
-Comptroller in Charge
Service Headquarters (February 2023 – August 2023):
-ACG (Migration)
-ACG i/c (Migration)
Zone ‘D’ Headquarters (August 2024 – July 2025)
-ACG/Zonal Coordinator
Service Headquarters ( July 2025 – till date):
-ACG i/c (Migration)
Odikpo’s dedication and pioneering innovation in automating the Nominal Roll at Rivers State Command as a Deputy Superintendent, caught the eye of the then CGIS, Late Lady UC Nwizu and promptly the late CGIS recognized her rare expertise.Following that, her transfer was swiftly approved to the Service Headquarters, Abuja in order to harness her technical acumen for the advancement of the Service.
In the course of her eventful career, DCG Odikpo enhanced her expertise through participation in multiple training programs, including those focused on identity document verification and forgery detection offered by renowned institutions such as the Spanish General Commissariat for Aliens and Documentation, the UK’s National Document Fraud Unit, and the Federal Office for Migration in Berne, Switzerland.
She also played a pivotal role in several strategic committees, including those tasked with reforming passport policies, reviewing and updating the 1963 Immigration Act, enhancing the digital presence of the Nigeria Immigration Service through website upgrades, and establishing guidelines for officer deployments to foreign missions; underscoring her value as a seasoned professional.
Her unrelenting commitment to duty and exceptional proficiency earned her prestigious nominations to Passport Intervention exercises in key international destinations, including New York, Congo, Cape Verde, Madagascar, and Mexico, showcasing her exceptional capabilities on a global stage.
Throughout her years of service, Odikpo exemplified resilience, unwavering dedication, and profound patriotism in every endeavour.
An indigene of Anambra East Local Government Area in Anambra State, DCG Ngozi Odikpo Holds a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of National and World Economy, a renowned institution in Sofia, Bulgaria.
She also holds a prestigious certification as a Private Investigator from the Institute of Public Safety and Security, with a specialization in workplace environments.
*Osigwe, a strategic communication and public engagement specialist, writes from Lagos
