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Tag: Illegal migration

  • FG moves to curb illegal migration, economic desperation among youths

    FG moves to curb illegal migration, economic desperation among youths

    The federal government says it is taking deliberate steps to ensure that Nigerians, particularly the youth, do not become a burden to other countries through illegal migration or economic hardship.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on Sunday, following a high-level meeting held in Abuja between the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Guschelbauer.

    Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the Minister of Women Affairs, Ms. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and the Director-General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, Mr. Michael Spindelegger.

    Bagudu stated that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to revamping the nation’s economy to empower citizens to make informed choices about where they live, rather than being forced to migrate due to economic hardship.

    “Mr President said we must confront our realities. This includes halting distortionary policies and generating more resources to provide the infrastructure that will stimulate inclusive growth and stabilise our economy,” Bagudu stated.

    According to the minister, the reforms currently being implemented are geared towards stabilising the economy and opening up opportunities at home so that migration becomes a matter of free choice, not desperation.

    “We mean business. Therefore, we do not want our children to be a burden anywhere in the world. We want them to choose where they live freely,” he said.

    The minister stressed that Nigeria is open to partnerships with foreign governments and institutions to tackle illegal migration, which he described as a challenge that undermines legitimate global movement and cooperation.

    “We, more than anyone else, wish to halt illegal migration because it distorts legal migration,” Bagudu stated.

    He explained that the government’s willingness to confront these challenges would not only reduce the pressure on foreign nations but also improve the image of Nigeria internationally and restore investor confidence.

    According to him, the ongoing economic reforms are part of broader measures to create jobs, curb poverty, and build infrastructure that can attract both domestic and foreign investment.

    Read Also: Labour would make UK ‘illegal migration capital of world’, says Sunak

    Bagudu noted that these efforts would produce a stable economic environment that retains local talent and fosters innovation within the country.

    The federal government’s position comes amid growing global concern over the rising rate of irregular migration from Africa, with many young people risking their lives through perilous journeys in search of better opportunities abroad.

    Nigeria, one of the continent’s most populous nations, has seen significant outflows of skilled and unskilled migrants in recent years, often referred to as the “japa” wave—a term used locally to describe mass emigration.

    Bagudu assured that the government is committed to changing the narrative by improving conditions at home and engaging in strategic international cooperation.

    “This is not just a national concern but also an international responsibility. We are ready to work with willing partners like Austria and others to develop practical solutions,” the minister said.

    The Austrian Ambassador, Mr. Peter Guschelbauer, expressed his country’s interest in strengthening cooperation with Nigeria, particularly on migration and development issues.

    Also speaking at the meeting, Director-General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, Michael Spindelegger, acknowledged Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate on migration management and economic empowerment strategies.

    Ministers Yilwatda and Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty and irregular migration through expanded social protection, gender-sensitive policies, and targeted humanitarian interventions.

    The weekend meeting is part of a broader series of consultations aimed at enhancing international collaboration on migration governance, economic stability, and youth empowerment.

  • Fed Govt plans cutting-edge tech to curb illegal migration

    Fed Govt plans cutting-edge tech to curb illegal migration

    The Federal Government has said it will deploy cutting-edge technologies to monitor activities and manage the nation’s land, maritime, and air borders.

    The government said this had become necessary to curtail illegal migration and its attendant challenges.

    The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this when he hosted a delegation of the French Government, led by the Ambassador in charge of Migration at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Christophe Léonzi.

    Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s commitment to curbing illegal migration remained unwavering, stressing that the country would continue to foster cooperation with global partners.

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    In a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press, Mr. Ozoya Imohimi, the minister described migration as a natural phenomenon and expressed Nigeria’s willingness to support bilateral efforts to combat the challenges associated with it.

    “An African problem is more of a European problem than an American or Asian problem because of our proximity. It is easier for people to find their way to Spain, France, Italy or the United Kingdom than to get into America or China.

    “So, it means that the more we invest our energy and efforts into proactive strategies, the better it is for us,” he said.

  • FG to deploy cutting-edge technologies to check illegal migration

    FG to deploy cutting-edge technologies to check illegal migration

    The federal government on Tuesday, May 7, said cutting-edge technologies would be deployed to monitor activities and manage the nation’s land, maritime and air borders. 

    The government said this would be done to curtail illegal migration and its attendant challenges. 

    The minister of interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the remarks during a visit to him by the French government,  led by the Ambassador in charge of Migration at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Christophe Léonzi.

    Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s commitment to curbing illegal migration remains unwavering, while the country would continue to foster cooperation with global partners.

    The minister in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Ozoya Imohimi, acknowledged migration as a natural phenomenon, and  expressed Nigeria’s willingness to support bilateral efforts to combat challenges associated with it.

    “An African problem is more of a European problem than an American or Asian problem because of our proximity. It is easier for people to find their way to Spain, France, Italy or the United Kingdom than to get into America or China. So, it means that the more we invest our energy and efforts into proactive strategies, the better it is for us,” the minister said.

    Read Also: Illegal migration: NiDCOM boss advises against ‘media blackmail’ on deportation

    He highlighted the dynamic nature of illegal migration, stressing the need for continuous dialogue and proactive measures to stay ahead of traffickers’ evolving tactics.

    The minister further stated that the Ministry is streamlining the Nigerian visa application process on the basis of reciprocity, with priority on automation and a seamless access to INTERPOL data, to strengthen border control and security measures.

    On its part, the French government led by the Ambassador in charge of Migration at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Christophe Léonzi, said the purpose of the visit was to foster cooperation between both countries.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior had a closed meeting with the Technical Committee on the Enhancement of Security in the North led by Major General A.T. Jibrin (rtd). 

    Acknowledging progress since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29th, the minister said: “Yes, we are not where we want to be, but of course, we are not where we don’t want to be or used to be. Since May 29th when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board, there has been a visible difference in terms of the security situation”.

    Ozoya said the Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nana Nandap, and other high-ranking officials of the Ministry were present at both meetings. 

  • ECOWAS to tackle illegal migration through job creation

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is developing initiatives to increase job creation to address illegal migration in the sub-region.

    This formed part of discussions at the opening session of the just concluded meeting of a Joint Committee of ECOWAS in Conakry, Guinea.

    The meeting urged the ECOWAS Commission to organise campaigns to sensitise youths on the economic goals of the region and understand the role to play.

    The theme for the delocalised meeting is: “Job Creation in the ECOWAS region through entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs”.

    Members of parliament also said it was pertinent for member states to intensify efforts to ensure that projects in the region were geared towards sustainable regional integration.

    According to ECOWAS, a number of irregular migrants from Africa to Europe via different migratory routes had been recorded since the peak of migration in 2014, with more deaths in the Mediterranean Sea.

    ECOWAS Parliament Speaker, Moustapha Cisse Lo, urged members of the committees to ensure that they come up with recommendations aimed at boosting job creation.

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    He said this would be done through promoting the development of small and medium enterprises.

    The speaker also said the meeting would renew the parliament’s commitment to develop strategies for economic integration, adding that the consideration and adoption of the draft report and the committees’ recommendations would be done at ECOWAS parliament plenary session  to be held in Nigeria in May.

    An ECOWAS representative, Mrs. Liliane Alapini said issues of unemployment are at the heart of the region’s integration pursuit.

    Alapini said the non-implementation of policies on job creation and unemployment was also responsible for the rate of illegal migration in West Africa.

    She urged the committees present to strengthen policies on small and medium enterprises in the region.

    The Guinean Minister of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Tibou Camara, said  unemployment is “a time bomb” that must be tackled to ensure economic growth and development in the region.

    The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Country Representative, Mr Ansoumane Berete said industrialisation was paramount to poverty eradication in the ECOWAS region.

    He assured of UNIDO’s continued support to skills development of young entrepreneurs through proper training.

    Another representative of the parliament, Mr Alpha Fischer said the meeting would also develop modalities to facilitate youths’ vocational training in the region.

    “This meeting will advocate and promote skills acquisition of youths to enable them stay in their countries rather than venture into illegal migration.

    “This meeting will deal with job creation and training of our youth so that they can overcome the temptation of being trapped in the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.

    According to Fischer, the meeting would equip members of parliament to play a major role in job creation and also commend UNIDO for its contribution to development in the region.

    Risk Analysis for 2018 concluded that the sea, especially along the Mediterranean routes, would remain the most active path for illegal crossing of the European Union (EU) external borders, but also one of the most dangerous for migrants.

    This, according to Relief Web, a leading humanitarian information source on global crises and disasters and a specialised digital service of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

    In addition, according to statistics from Missing Migrants Project of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 98 deaths of migrants in Africa have been recorded since the beginning of 2019.

    This is compared to 107 deaths recorded in 2018 under the period in review.

     

  • ‘Skill acquisition solution to youths’ illegal migration’

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has said skill acquisition is the solution to youths’ illegal migration

    Speaking with The Nation, its Director-General, Sir Joseph Ari, said one of the mandates of the ITF was to make Nigerians, especially the youth, self reliant in terms of skills acquisition, but the youths are yet to embrace the concept.

    According to him, many of the youth migrate to Europe and other African countries to eke out a living, subjecting themselves to humiliation and danger.

    He said: “Solution to the rising migration of Nigerian youths lies in skill acquisition. We are disturbed by this ugly trend and reports of mass casualties on the high sea, enslavement and other harrowing misfortunes being experienced by Nigerian youths, seeking to migrate to Europe.

    “The ITF is appealing to stakeholders to collaborate with ITF in order to equip more Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

    “Equipping Nigerians with relevant skills is not only in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to create jobs, but would stem the current wave of migration, especially by the youths that have culminated into loss of lives and enslavement of thousands of productive Nigerians.

    “I keep wondering why the mass migration despite the fact that several surveys by the ITF and other organisations have revealed that skills gaps exist that are being filled by foreigners.”

    Ari said it was with a view to equipping Nigerians with skills to fill existing vacancies that the ITF embarked on a number of initiatives and expanded existing programmes to ensure that more Nigerians are empowered with skills to check unemployment and promote entrepreneurship.

    He listed some of the programmes to include the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), Passion to Profession, Training on Wheels Using Mobile Training Units, the Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP), the Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) as well as the Vulnerable and Indigent Youth Empowerment Programme (VIYEP) among others.

    Ari said the ITF has trained over 100, 000 Nigerians since it commenced. He said under the current phase ongoing in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the ITF is training 11,100 with skills in welding and fabrication, tailoring, garment making, plumbing and pipe fitting.

    He said in the last one year alone, over 70, 000 Nigerians benefited from these skills acquisition programmes and all the beneficiaries were given starter packs to start their businesses.

    “About 90 per cent of the beneficiaries are either currently successful entrepreneurs or earning their livelihood as paid employees, according to the monitoring and evaluation of graduates conducted by the ITF. The state governments, for instance, could collaborate with the ITF towards the establishment of Industrial Skill Training Centres (ISTCs), which will be managed by the ITF on their behalf,” Ari said.

  • UNIZIK partners agencies on illegal migration

    The management of the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has solicited the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant bodies in tackling the rising cases of migration among Nigerian youths.

    The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahanaku who disclosed this in Awka, said the institution has established a Migration Study Centre for the sensitization of youths on the importance of embarking on safe and regular migration.

    Ahaneku, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof. Charles Esimone, said the decision to establish the centre was informed by the increasing rate of irregular migration, which he attributed to quest for quick money prevalent among the youths.

    “Because in the vision of the present administration of empowering the youths which is in line with that of Nnamdi Azikiwe, we decided to extend our hands of fellowship to the Refugees Commission, NAPTIP, IOM and others to seek their support in tackling the ugly trend.

    “We reasoned that the centre in a university will be a solution to the involvement of youths, especially those from Anambra and Imo states who constitute the greater number of migrants in the country,” he said.

    In her remarks, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouo, lauded the university for indicating interest in the campaign through the establishment of the centre.

    Describing Nigeria’s experience in irregular migration as gruesome, Umar-Farouo said the Federal Government had developed national policies to ensure person-centered and rights-based approaches to migrants of all kinds.

    She said the ugly trend could be salvaged if the youths who constitute the bulk of the population in the institutions were sensitized on the dangers inherent in the act.

    She said, “About 36, 000 Nigerians representing total of 171, 299 immigrants arrived Europe by sea in 2016. In the same year, the number of Nigeria women trafficked mostly for sex work into Europe doubled from 5, 600 in 2016 to 11, 009.

    “In January 11, 2018, 200 Nigerians were drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, adding to the alarming toll of last year.”

     

  • Cleric warns against illegal migration

    A cleric with Omega Fire Ministries, Azemhe Azena, has warned parents against encouraging children to embark on illegal migration.

    He gave the advice when he hosted Mr. Solomon Okoduwa, the senior special assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking, during a church service in Benin.

    Azena said parents, who encouraged their children to embark on the journeys, as well as traffickers, were working against God’s purposes.

    He said while the law would catch up with them if they did not stop the act, their sins would also be visited by God.

    The cleric said rather than embarking on a risky journey through the desert, the youth must realise that there were greater opportunities for them in Nigeria.

    “Some people, especially youths, are being deceived into embarking on this journey with lucrative offer of jobs that do not exist there. There is nothing special there that is not here.

    “There is no better life there that is not here. It is easier to make it in Nigeria than abroad. You must match it and don’t be deceived by anybody on travelling abroad for a better life.

    “This is not just for the youth, but parents who often encourage their children into travelling abroad,’’ he said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okoduwa had told the congregation about plans to stem the tide of illegal migration through creation of job opportunities.

    He said the Obaseki administration was worried that more than half of Nigerian-returnees from Libya were from Edo State.

    Okoduwa said the governor was working to change the narrative by investing in human capital development and engaging youths through the Edo Job Portal.

    “We have 3,220 Libya returnees as I speak, but we are saying this must not be allowed to continue.

    “What we are saying is that the government cannot do it alone, we are appealing to religious leaders and traditional institutions to help campaign against this menace,’’ he said.

  • Human trafficking: Edo reiterates commitment to end menace

    Human trafficking: Edo reiterates commitment to end menace

    The Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., has said that Edo State Government will not relent in the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration so that the state can optimally harness its human resources, especially youths, for development.

    Ogie reiterated the state government’s resolve during a chat with journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    “The Godwin Obaseki-led administration will sustain the campaign against human trafficking. This is a continuous effort to rescue our people from the scourge,” Ogie said.

    He noted that the first step the state government took in the fight against human trafficking was to acknowledge the existence of the problem and not pretend about the gravity of the issue in Edo State.

    “We came out strong to say that this is a problem affecting our people and we want to be in the vanguard to lead the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration, ” he said.

    According to him, “In the past six months, Edo State Government has made serious efforts in the fight against human trafficking. We were able to bring the issue not only to the front burner but also engaged international partners.”

    Ogie said that the state government will continue to assist  her indigenes who are victims of human trafficking and assist them to resettle to normal life. He noted, “Our people should know that nothing is wrong with migration. The state government is not against migration but illegal migration and human trafficking through which Edo people are being sold and their organs harvested.

    “Parents should be aware and begin to ask certain questions before they allow their children to travel abroad. They should ask what their children are going to do abroad.”

    He added, “It is a good thing that majority of Edo people are with Governor Godwin Obaseki in the fight against human trafficking.”

     

  • Illegal migration: Income gap must narrow, says Harvard don

    Illegal migration: Income gap must narrow, says Harvard don

    Siddharth Kara, a leading expert on human trafficking and modern slavery, has advised the Federal Government to allocate resources equitably to curb illegal migration and modern-day slavery. Kara, a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, spoke at a briefing in Los Angeles, where he addressed questions on the motivation behind the movie adaptation of his award-winning book on human trafficking titled ‘Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery,”.

    Kara, who spent one month in Nigeria visiting Edo, Delta and Lagos to access the human trafficking burden, said the country needs to start checking vulnerabilities by putting in place alternative economic opportunities that could ensure reliability and stability of income for the teeming population.

    “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, there is a lot of grinding poverty. Poverty is the strongest force that drives vulnerability and population displacement being another, it is in that moment that traffickers come up with an offer. There is a lot of people who are super wealthy, so the income gap has to narrow. So many people are literarily boiling leaves for their meals, so income has to be more equitably allocated.

    “There is a need to work on girl education, vocational training and economic opportunities as reasonable alternatives.  The government also need to find a way to increase security because so many people live under the threat of violence and those risks might make them want to leave or migrate abroad”, he stated.

    Kara, an adjunct lecturer who also teaches the only course on modern day slavery at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, argued that Nigeria is not a poor country.

    Kara’s film on human trafficking which features a Nigerian character by the name ‘Mali’ was recommended by the U.S department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.  The book not only provides a global perspective on sex trafficking, it also shows the analytical framework and economic analysis for understanding the functioning and persistence of slavery in the current world.

  • Video: Buhari, Obaseki meet over trafficking, illegal migration

    Video: Buhari, Obaseki meet over trafficking, illegal migration

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that Edo State government would partner with Federal Government agencies to tackle human trafficking, illegal migration and modern slavery in the state.

    The governor said: “I discussed with the President two critical issues that bother us in Edo. One, is the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration.

    “As you know it is a problem with Edo which we have accepted and we have rolled out our strategies to deal with them and we want to work with the federal government and other agencies of government to end this scourge of human trafficking and modern slavery.

    [jwplayer qzIS8vnv]

    “It is against the ethos of humanity for us to accept what is going on with our young people today.

    “So, I came to see the President to explain what we are doing in Edo State and to solicit for more federal support for our actions.”

    The governor said his administration had a plan in place to rehabilitate and reintegrate returnee illegal migrants.

    He said already the state government had commenced monthly payment of stipend for the past three months to the last batch of the Libya returnees.

    Obaseki said the first set of the returnees brought back by International Organization for Migration (IOM) had benefitted from similar stipend.

    On the Benin-Auchi federal road, the governor said he received a pledge of support from the federal government.

    “We did not spend a lot of money but fortunately the federal government has responded to the issue of the Benin-Auchi federal road.

    “As I speak, the Minister of Works is now there inspecting the progress of that work, for those who have travelled on that road recently will see that the federal government has done something quite remarkable on that road,” he added.

    NAN