Akwa Ibom – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and the Government of Akwa Ibom State held a three-day Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting for key actors to review the National Migration Policy (NMP) in Uyo.

The South-South Technical Working Group was the last of 6 meetings held over the past two months with hundreds of stakeholders including Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs, but also civil society organizations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to collect inputs and recommendations in view of updating Nigeria’s National Migration Policy.

Opening the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Grace Jim stressed the importance of such engagements to ensure all voices and opinions are reflected. “We hope that this meeting will help us reflect on where we have been, where we are now and where we hope to be to take necessary corrective measures and meet global best practices in migration management”, she said.

Developed in 2015, the National Migration Policy (NMP) guides the Federal Government’s efforts in managing migration across the country. Recognizing the dynamic nature of migration and the need for adaptability, the NMP is reviewed every five years, allowing key actors to take stock of the country’s evolving migration dynamics, identify gaps as well as opportunities, and develop strategic actions to ensure the policy responds to contemporary needs.

“Together, we will ensure that the revised National Migration Policy meets international standards and resonates with Nigeria's local realities and aspirations. I am confident that our collective efforts will pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all migrants and the communities they interact with”, said Ms. Amaka Aniowu of IOM during the consultation. 

Among other things, the participants recommended that Nigeria's border management be strengthened by increasing the capacity of relevant agencies, and that mechanisms to discourage brain drain be implemented, as well as policies to encourage brain gain through apprenticeship and trade schemes.

Following the conclusion of the National Migration Policy workshop in Uyo, recommendations from all six geopolitical zones will be evaluated by a review committee, before being validated and presented to the House of Representatives for approval.

The review of the National Migration Policy of Nigeria is supported by the Migration Mult partnership Trust Fund (MMPTF) within the framework of the project “Strengthening Fact-Based and Data-Driven Migration Governance and Management in Nigeria”.

For more information, please contact Francois-Xavier Ada, Public Information Officer. Email: fadaaffana@iom.int