Stakeholders Urge Communities to Promote Safe, Regular Migration

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

Stakeholders have called for greater community involvement in combating irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, while promoting safe, regular and informed migration among Nigerians, especially young people.

The call was made on Monday, August 31, 2026, at a town hall meeting on irregular migration organised for community gatekeepers and relevant stakeholders at Zeus Paradise Hotel, Mabushi, Abuja.

The meeting was organised by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Civil Society Network for Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), under the RECONNECT Project.

The GIZ-funded project, implemented by ActionAid Nigeria, seeks to strengthen the reintegration and empowerment of vulnerable groups and returning migrants through livelihood support, psychosocial assistance, access to essential services and capacity building in Edo, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director of Migrant Affairs, NCFRMI, Ambassador Catherine Udida, who represented the Commission’s Commissioner, Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, said migration remained an important part of society, with people moving in search of employment, education, business opportunities, family reunification, safety and better livelihoods.

She, however, warned that irregular migration could expose migrants to trafficking, smuggling, exploitation, fraudulent recruitment, misinformation and challenges associated with return and reintegration.

Udida urged traditional and religious leaders, parents, community leaders and civil society organisations to play a more active role in educating young people about the realities and risks of migration.

She advised prospective migrants to verify employment and travel opportunities, confirm the legitimacy of recruitment processes and understand available legal migration pathways before embarking on their journeys.

According to her, migration is not the problem, but decisions based on rumours, deception and inadequate information could expose people to serious risks.

The NCFRMI official also called for greater attention to the experiences of migrants and returnees, saying their experiences could help policymakers and communities develop more effective migration and reintegration interventions.

Also speaking, ActionAid Nigeria Programme Coordinator, Abraham Aba, said while the organisation was taking a national approach to the issue, sustainable solutions to irregular migration must begin at the community level.

Aba stressed that migration was a legitimate right, but expressed concern when it occurred through irregular or unsafe channels.

He said the RECONNECT Project was designed to strengthen collaboration among civil society organisations, government agencies and other stakeholders while supporting returning migrants to rebuild their livelihoods and reintegrate into their communities.

Previous RECONNECT town hall engagements in Edo, Lagos and Abuja have brought together traditional rulers, youth groups, government agencies, returnees, religious leaders and grassroots organisations to identify gaps in migration and reintegration interventions.

Among the recommendations were stronger community mentorship, sustained follow-up for returnees, greater participation of returnees in decision-making and the integration of reintegration programmes into local development plans.

The Abuja meeting emphasised that tackling irregular migration requires more than border enforcement, with stakeholders stressing the need for accurate information, economic opportunities and community support to enable Nigerians, particularly young people, to make informed decisions about migration