NIS: 1.3M FACE IMMIGRATION CHALLENGES ABROAD. (PHOTO).

NIS: 1.3m face immigration challenges abroad

At least 1.3 million face challenges abroad due to irregular migration, Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Carol Wura-Ola, said yesterday.

This is as stakeholders urged government to address rregular migration and ensure well being of citizens.

Migration is a pressing issue, with more citizens seeking opportunities abroad, making dangerous journeys across Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea.

They spoke at the  workshop on migration: “Tackling migration as a diverse problem for Sustainable Growth and Social Progress,” at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The event was organised by Global Migration Research Institute (GMRI), Universal Migration Enlightenment Centre (UMEC), and UNESC Foundation in Abuja.

Wura-Ola noted that despite these struggles, the country received a $21.9 billion in remittances from abroad in 2022.

“At least 1.3 million Nigerians face challenges due to irregular migration. On Tuesday, 160 stranded Nigerians were returned from Libya.

“More than 6,500 stranded Nigerians await repatriation from Libya under IOM’s Humanitarian Repatriation Fund,” she said.

The acting comptroller general said rregular migration comes with other threats, such as human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and employer maltreatment.

She added irregular migrants become victims of kidnapping, child exploitation, organ harvesting and death.

“Irrespective of the country, if laws are violated, irregular migrants have no choice but accept treatment meted out to them.”

President of GMRI and UNESCO Foundation, Dr. Williams Ijoma, stressed need for a comprehensive approach to migration crisis.

He called for strong communication channels with Nigerian embassies to ensure assistance, information, and greater protection for those in distress.

While he hailed efforts in combating trafficking, he stressed data accuracy and good policy implementation.

Ijoma said: “Accurate and up-to-date data is essential to understand patterns, causes, and consequences of migration.

“It will enable us develop evidence-based policies to manage migration flows, protect the vulnerable, and allocate resources appropriately.

“Nigeria should strengthen data collection and encourage research towards a robust knowledge-base on migration.

“Secondly, we should prioritise implementation and enforcement of policies and laws.

“While the government has formulated policies related to migration, their effectiveness relies on their implementation.

“Steps need to be taken to ensure these policies are effectively enforced, leaving no room for gaps or weaknesses.

“This includes collaborating with agencies to combat human trafficking and irregular migration while providing support and protection to victims.

“Furthermore, it is vital we establish partnerships and strengthen cooperation with nations and foreign bodies…’’

“Migration is a global issue that requires collective action and joint responsibilities.

“By enhancing collaborations, we can share experiences, best practices, and resources, leading to more effective migration management.”