The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has approved the appointment of Tony Akuneme as the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO).

A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by KS Kure, a Chief Superintendent of Immigration in the Public Relations Department, said Akuneme’s appointment was approved by the Controller General, Isah Jere.

Akuneme, a Deputy Controller of Immigration, replaces Amos Okpu who had proceeded on retirement after 35 years service.

The new NIS spokesman brings to the Public Relations Department, 29 years of broad and extensive experience in public relations, border security and migration management.

He was a Special Assistant on Media from 2015 to 2019, Deputy Zonal PRO Zone A, Lagos from 1995 to 2005, PRO, Akwa Ibom Command, from 2005 to 2008, and Deputy Service PRO from 2008 to 2011.

The NIS spokesman hails from Imo and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from the University of Port Harcourt, and Masters Degree in International Law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Lagos.

Until his appointment, Akuneme was the Head of Immigration Desk, Nigeria Diaspora Commission.