In an extraordinary academic achievement, Dr. Amanda Bisong, a Nigerian scholar, has been awarded a doctorate in International Law from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, receiving the prestigious ‘cum laude’ distinction for her outstanding research.
This honor is exceptionally rare in the Netherlands and across Europe, having been granted to only 5% of PhD candidates over the past two decades.
Remarkably, the Faculty of Law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has not bestowed this distinction in 20 years, further underscoring the significance of Dr. Bisong’s accomplishment.
Her research, supervised by Professor Thomas Spijkerboer and Dr. Martin Stronks, explores the role of regional organizations such as ECOWAS and the EU, alongside national governments and non-state actors, in shaping migration policies in West Africa.
Dr. Bisong’s work draws a direct link between regional trade and mobility, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Her findings highlight how mobility has long been crucial in the livelihoods of border communities, emphasizing migration’s pivotal role in governance, economic relations, and trade partnerships in the region.
Her research further underscores the importance of regional collaboration in migration management.
She argues that by working together, West African nations can align their shared interests while balancing security concerns, human rights considerations, and economic priorities.
Dr. Bisong also examines how colonial and postcolonial histories continue to influence migration policies and patterns, determining who can move within the region and under what circumstances.
Additionally, her study sheds light on the vital role played by non-state actors in shaping migration narratives.
These actors help convey messages that align with the objectives of both governmental and international organizations, significantly impacting policy discussions and implementation.
Currently serving as a Policy Officer at the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) in Maastricht, Netherlands, Dr. Bisong brings over a decade of experience in project management and research in trade and migration in West Africa.
Her work offers invaluable insights for policymakers, scholars, and advocates seeking to understand the complexities of migration governance in the region.
Dr. Bisong holds a law degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, and postgraduate degrees in International Trade Law from the World Trade Institute (WTI) in Bern, the Trade Policy Training Centre in Africa (TRAPCA) in Arusha, and Lund University in Sweden.
Her remarkable academic journey and groundbreaking research contribute significantly to the discourse on migration and trade in West Africa, setting a new standard for scholarly excellence in the field.
