The Federal Government has outlined new strategies aimed at reducing the migration of skilled Nigerian workers. The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu announced the plans at the 2025 Annual International Conference on Migration in Abuja.
He highlighted efforts by the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to collaborate with both local and international universities, particularly focusing on retaining professionals in the healthcare sector.
“Migration, whether internal, regular or external, have both their positive and negative consequences. As a nation, we must be able to swing the kite so that we can benefit maximally from the positive impact of migration while mitigating the negative impact of peace. There are a lot of challenges which we must address in this conference. We do know that migration is a source of cultural shock in any country. Because it’s either people are admitted into a home or they are moving to another state. And therefore, there will be a lot of cultural challenges which may turn positive or negative.”
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Dr. Sununu spoke on the need to address the challenges of migration while exploring its potential benefits for national development. He stressed that although migration offers employment opportunities, it also causes family separations and a loss of skilled professionals, which could negatively impact Nigeria’s future growth.
Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University, who also spoke at the conference, pointed out that migration is a complex issue, presenting both challenges and opportunities for economic development. His remarks underscored the need for comprehensive solutions that consider both the risks and rewards of migration.
“Despite its numerous challenges, migration also holds great potential for fostering sustainable development. If managed effectively, migration can be a powerful driver of economic and social transformation. The United States of America is a shining example of migrants’ assimilation into the political and social-economic fabric of the society.”
Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, also addressed the conference, urging policymakers to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and ensure safer migration pathways. She called for efforts to make migration more orderly and beneficial for all parties involved.
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