The Federal Government has urged Nigerian youths to shun irregular migration, warning that the practice threatens lives and economic development.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the call through the ministry’s Head of Youth Migration and Climate Action Resilience, Oyekan Adedoyin, during a campaign and awareness programme in the southern zone.

Olawande said the Federal Government remained committed to sustainable initiatives that empower young people and promote national development.
He urged stakeholders to work together to address irregular migration and encourage young people to pursue opportunities through safe and lawful channels.
On his part, the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Adebowale Adebayo, urged youth to develop their skills to improve their standard of living.
Adebayo warned that irregular migration could endanger lives, stressing that travelling abroad did not automatically guarantee better living conditions. He also likened the practice to human trafficking.
He said the Oyo State Government was making efforts to promote youth development and create opportunities for young people in the state.

In a goodwill message, Bukola Olatunji of the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development commended the awareness programme and called for sustained campaigns to educate young people about the risks associated with irregular migration.
Olatunji also urged the Oyo State Government to establish a dedicated agency to address migration-related challenges and support the reintegration of migrants returning to the state.
The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, Oluwatimileyin Alex, described the programme as timely and urged young people to avoid irregular migration, warning that it could undermine youth development in the country.

Also speaking, Rose Odigbo, a member of the Oyo State Reintegration Committee, who represented the Executive Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Migration and Homeland Security, retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Immigration Segun Adegoke, acknowledged young people’s desire for better living conditions but said they should pursue their aspirations through legal means.
Odigbo stressed that youths should seek better opportunities through safe and lawful channels that would not put their lives at risk.
She added that young people had a responsibility to become positive agents of change in society.