Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on stakeholders to reinforce regular migration pathways to promote legal labour mobility.
Speaking during the ongoing ‘Rabat Process’ thematic meeting in Abuja, she emphasised the importance of education, youth empowerment, and innovation in shaping the future of migration.
The conference with the theme: “Youth, education and innovation: driving the future of migration,” is being held under Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, otherwise known as the ‘Rabat Process’.
Dabiri-Erewa, speaking during a panel discussion, advocated for greater sensitisation on legal migration opportunities backed by legislation.
She warned about the dangers of irregular migration and urged for a collective effort to educate the public on safer and legal alternatives.
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Highlighting the critical role of the Nigerian diaspora, Dabiri-Erewa stated that over 20 million Nigerians living abroad are an “economic force that cannot be ignored.”
She noted that diaspora remittances reached $20 billion in 2024, accounting for 5.7 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, 11 times the foreign direct investment recorded in the same year.
“Youths must be involved in migration policy formulation and execution. They bring skills, innovation, and a forward-thinking perspective,” she stated, adding that NiDCOM has already introduced dedicated diaspora youth programmes under its ‘Home Strings’ initiative.
The Rabat Process serves as a vital platform for Euro-African cooperation on migration and development, engaging stakeholders from both continents to foster balanced migration policies.