Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Tijani Ahmed, has called for stronger collaboration between academia and government to enhance migration governance in Nigeria.
He made the call just as the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, called for greater academic engagement and collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s migration challenges, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) launched two new guides to help businesses respond more effectively to grievances raised by migrant workers.
Ahmed made the call yesterday in Abuja at a two-day workshop organised by the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), themed “Strengthening and Maximising Academic Presence in the Migration Space in Nigeria.”
The commissioner commended the leadership of NOUN and the Centre for organising what he described as a “strategic and highly relevant engagement.” Represented by Ambassador Catherine Udida, he emphasised that at a time when migration had become one of the most complex global phenomena, such academic dedication could not be more timely or necessary.
IN his remarks, Prof. Peters described the theme of the workshop as ‘timely and relevant,’ noting that migration remained one of the most defining global issues of the 21st century, shaping economies, redefining communities, and influencing both national development and international relations.
“Nigeria, like many nations, continues to grapple with the complex realities of migration, and it is our collective responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the discourse,” he said.
According to the vice chancellor, as the nation’s premier open and distance learning institution, NOUN is uniquely positioned to lead research and knowledge production in migration studies. Through CEMGS, according to him, the university remains committed to advancing scholarship, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that research outcomes translate into evidence-based policies aligned with Nigeria’s development goals and global migration trends.
“This workshop is an opportunity to showcase NOUN’s leadership role in migration studies. By hosting this gathering, we are affirming our commitment to providing thought leadership and serving as a hub for knowledge exchange on issues that affect not only Nigeria but the wider global community,” he added.
Earlier, the Director, Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS) of NOUN, Prof. Grace Anetor, noted that the centre was established to serve as a multidisciplinary platform for knowledge generation, policy dialogue, and capacity building on migration and related issues.
MEANWHILE, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched two new guides to help businesses respond more effectively to grievances raised by migrant workers.
The resources aim to make grievance systems fairer, more transparent, and centred on the rights and needs of workers.
