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IOM Commends Nigeria on Validation of Revised National Migration Policy

Published

1 month ago

April 29, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its commitment to inclusive and evidence-based migration governance, following the successful validation of the Revised National Migration Policy and its Integrated Implementation Plan (IIP).

Speaking at the the meeting of the Technical Working Group on Migration and Development convened to validate the updated policy on Tuesday in Abuja., the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria Ms. Dimanche Sharon, expressed deep appreciation for the extensive effort behind the policy review, emphasizing that the process reflects Nigeria’s strong dedication to shaping a modern, data-driven migration system aligned with global standards.

According to her, this milestone is a testament to Nigeria’s commitment to building a migration governance system that is inclusive, grounded in evidence, and aligned with global best practices.
“Today’s gathering is not just another meeting—it’s the culmination of months of stakeholder consultations, technical research, and multi-agency collaboration.”

The IOM extended special recognition to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) for its leadership in the process, as well as to the Technical Working Group for their expertise and dedication in producing a policy document that reflects the realities of contemporary migration in Nigeria.

With a population exceeding 216 million, Nigeria is experiencing increasingly complex migration dynamics driven by economic challenges, environmental pressures, insecurity, and aspirations for social mobility.

The IOM highlighted trends such as the rise of rural-to-urban migration, climate-induced displacement, and the “Japa” phenomenon, alongside Nigeria’s growing role as both a destination and transit country in the West African migration landscape.
“These developments underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and forward-looking migration governance.

“The Revised Policy and its IIP reflect alignment with key global frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), the Migration Policy Framework for Africa, and the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol.”

She noted that the policy is grounded in data from national assessments, Migration Governance Indicators, and Nigeria’s Voluntary GCM Reviews. It addresses key migration priorities such as: The challenges of climate-induced displacement and the need for environmental sustainability;
“Strengthening migration data systems and governance;

“Harnessing the benefits of labor migration and diaspora engagement;
“Enhancing protection for vulnerable populations, including IDPs, migrants in transit, victims of trafficking, women, children, and persons with disabilities.

“This policy is not just a theoretical document—it is a call to action,” she added. “It calls for stronger collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies; a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach; and most importantly, a migration governance system centered on the rights and needs of migrants themselves.”

The IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in the policy’s final adoption, resource mobilization, and implementation, and called on all stakeholders to champion the policy through to approval by the Federal Executive Council.

In his addressed, Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, emphasized the importance of a coordinated national response involving ministries, agencies, civil society groups, and development partners.

He noted that the policy aligns with global best practices and international migration frameworks, with a particular focus on mitigating the loss of skilled professionals—especially in the healthcare sector.

He said the revised policy aims to foster “brain circulation” through partnerships between Nigerian and international universities.

“More than 1.4 million Nigerians have emigrated in recent years, with 51 percent of them holding tertiary education credentials,” Sununu stated.

“Initiatives such as transnational education agreements will help retain academic and medical talent while fostering knowledge exchange.”

In his address, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Mr. Tijani Ahmed, explained that the revised 2025 National Migration Policy was developed in collaboration with development partners to address evolving migration challenges in Nigeria.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Ahmed stated that the policy seeks to balance the opportunities and risks associated with migration, ensuring Nigeria’s practices align with global standards, including the United Nations’ Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

“This update marks a major step toward modernising Nigeria’s migration governance,” Ahmed said. “Originally adopted in 2015, the policy has now been updated to respond to emerging realities such as economic shifts, conflict-driven displacement, and human trafficking.”

The review process was led by NCFRMI and involved a 19-member Policy Review Committee comprising representatives from government, civil society, academia, and international organizations. Ahmed stressed the importance of an integrated approach that ensures the policy is both locally relevant and globally aligned.

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NTAC DG Celebrates President Tinubu’s Second Year as Nigeria’s President

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

The Gleamer

…Highlights His Leadership Skills and Economic Achievements

Joel Ajayi
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub says President Tinubu has risen above global economic dynamics and confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place Nigeria on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow.

The NTAC boss,who stated the above in a congratulatory message made available to press men today in Abuja in commemoration of the second year anniversary of the Tinubu Presidency,added that Nigerians were excited at how ingeniously President Tinubu was able to pull back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising external reserves of the country.
The rest of the piece read:

“Your Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation, *Letter of Congratulations on Your Two Years of Impactful Leadership and Service to Nigeria

“Permit me to respectfully avail myself of this means and the auspicious occasion of your second anniversary in office as President and Commander-in-Chief,Federal Republic of Nigeria, to convey my humble congratulations on the reformative and transformational turnaround that you have injected into governance and national leadership in these last two years since assuming the Nigerian Presidency.

“Without an iota of doubt,Sir,you came in,you saw and you have conquered.In the immortal words of one of the greatest leaders of all time:” You Have Done What Napoleon Could Not Do!”

“I recall with the clarity of a former federal lawmaker,who with every sense of modesty was in a position to know at the time,how our national life was mired in loss of hope, uncertainty, deepening insecurity, ethno-regional tensions as well as sullen economic indices.

“It was, indeed,a tall order to find that man who could clean the Augean stable,which, in fairness to the immediate-past national leadership,arose as a result of several factors,most of which were global and , therefore, beyond their total control.

“Today,Your Excellency,Mr.President,you have not only risen above global economic dynamics but confronted squarely other regional and countrywide downturns to place our nation back on the path of self-redemption, effervescent hope and optimism for a glorious tomorrow!

“Today,Your Excellency,many Nigerians,in spite of what you often refer to as “current pangs of hardship for a better tomorrow”,are excited at how ingenious you have brought back an economy tottering on the brinks of collapse to one that has started repaying debts and raising our external reserves.Surely,this could not have been an accident of leadership,but the result of a well-intended and carefully executed fiscal policy that has delivered on its premeditated targets.

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,as we ruminate on the path through which you have led us through these past two years, Nigerians may not be very much aware of the many hours of sleep you lose to hold the nation together,to keep the economy on a sound footing,to restore the prices of goods and commodities to the pre-energy subsidy removal era,to ease tensions in regions with security challenges and to keep our workers happy,but every Nigerian knows that the nation has a leader that truly cares. We all can attest to this in your body language and poise each time you address the nation!

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,we may go on and on to chronicle the quantum leap your gracious leadership skills and initiated policies have foisted on the nation these past years,but those who do not travel abroad may not fully understand the extent of the positive turnaround that you have caused to happen in our individual and collective destinies across the globe in so short a time.Simply put,it suffices to just say here that the honour of our green passport has also been largely restored,thanks to Your Excellency,Mr.President’s Foreign Policy Initiatives and leadership ingenuity these past two years of purposeful leadership.

“Your Excellency,Mr.President,Sir,as you take a detour into the next half of your glorious first tenure,we,who you graciously appointed as some of your foot soldiers,join millions of your admirers, well-wishers and mentees across the world to wish you well and to pray that you daily continue to draw from the rich reservoir of wisdom, strength and good health deposited in you by the Almighty God Himself at creation to lead Nigeria and Africa in the right direction.

“For myself and my family,and on behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),which by the grace of God, your magnanimous appointment and continuous support I currently head,I congratulate you once again ,Your Excellency,Mr.President and Father of the Nation,and pray that you find more health, wisdom, inspiration and strength to continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda and maintain the path of realizing The Nigerian Dream in our lifetime,” the NTAC DG concluded.

Following the swearing-in ceremonies held at the Eagle Square,Abuja,on May 29,2023, President Tinubu took over the reins of leadership, succeeding his Party man and immediate-past President,Gen.Muhammadu Buhari,Retd.

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