Stakeholders across government agencies, the academia and civil society organizations involved in migration and global studies have highlighted ways Nigeria can benefit from the growing interest of the world population in migration.
The stakeholders, at the international conference on migration and sustainable development, which was held in Abuja on Tuesday – today, February 11 – said migration has the potential to attract unprecedented socioeconomic growth and development if properly managed.
The conference with the theme “Migration and Sustainable Development: Problems and Prospects,” was organised by the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS) of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, in his presentation, explained that migration is a phenomenon that has shaped human societies for millennia.
“It is a deeply complex issue, often driven by factors such as conflict, economic disparities, environmental changes, and political instability.
“The global population’s movement, whether voluntary or forced, continues to redefine borders, disrupt local economies, and create new demographic realities. In many instances, migration has brought both tremendous benefits and formidable challenges to countries, communities, and individuals,” he said.
He made reference to the US, UK, France, and a few other developed countries that have been shining examples of migrants’ assimilation into the political and social economic fabrics of the society.
“Migrants bring with them not just labour but also skills, knowledge, and innovation. They contribute to the economies of host countries, and make remittances back to their home countries, which can significantly reduce poverty and contribute to development. Nigeria and India are examples,” Peters stressed.
“There is a growing recognition that the key to addressing migration challenges lies in adopting a holistic, human-centered approach.
“This means creating systems that provide safe, legal pathways for migration, protecting the rights of migrants, and addressing the root causes that compel people to leave their homes in the first place.
“It also means fostering cooperation and partnerships between countries, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.”
CEMGS Director, Prof. Gloria Anetor, in her remarks, explained that the conference was a unique platform to engage in meaningful discussions, share innovative research, and explore practical solutions to the challenges of migration and sustainable development.
She said: “It was an opportunity for academics, policymakers, development practitioners and migration experts to deliberate on best practices, exchange ideas, and propose forward-thinking strategies that will shape policies and actions at both national and global levels.”
“To this end, let us commit to working together across borders, disciplines, and sectors to develop solutions that promote the dignity and well-being of all people regardless of where they come from or where they go. Let us strive for a world in which migration is not merely a survival strategy, but a source of opportunity, equity, and shared prosperity.”
Also speaking, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that it is already benefiting from migration particularly in the health sector.
She said: “We are trying to bring diaspora issues to the front burner. When the Minister of Health said people from abroad are coming to Nigeria for medical treatment, some people said, ‘What is he talking about?’ I can testify.
“Nigerian doctors in the diaspora are bringing hospitals back home. I know about 10 in the last few years. And guess what? People indeed are coming. I’m hoping to work with your Centre to put more of that together. We have a lot of programmes, Diaspora Day, where we come together and celebrate our diaspora. The Diaspora Investment Summit, where we gather together and show them where they can invest, and that is beginning to happen.”
The keynote speaker, Rev Father Emeka Obiezu, who spoke on ‘Unlocking the Migration-Development Nexus: A Holistic Approach to Policy and Practice’, emphasized the need to promote healthy migration through well-thought-out laws.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu said, as a nation, Nigeria must find a way to benefit maximally from the positive impact of migration, while mitigating its negative impact.
“There are a lot of challenges which we must address in this conference. We do know that migration is a source of cultural shock in any country, because it’s either people are admitted into their home country, or they are moving to another state.
“And therefore, there will be a lot of cultural challenges which we think can either be positive or negative. Not only that, migration can also serve as an employment activity, and it has a lot of rewards, perhaps, more than what is shared by the diaspora colleagues who are there and have not shared from their activities.
“As a ministry, we continue to support all efforts that will ensure that migrants and internally displaced persons are also given their due consideration,” he said.
