Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicate irregular migration, human trafficking, and the associated human rights abuses that have long plagued the state.
Through a bold, structured, and multi-sectoral response led by the Edo State Migration Agency, the state government is charting a new path towards sustainable migration governance, social justice, and economic reintegration.
Director-General of the Edo State Migration Agency, Lucky Agazuma, disclosed that under the directive and active leadership of Gov. Okpebholo, the state government has adopted a strategic and human-centered approach to addressing irregular migration, an issue that has affected thousands of Edo citizens, especially the youth.
He said no administration in the history of Edo State has tackled the issue of irregular migration with the commitment, policy depth, and urgency that Gov. Okpebholo has brought to the table.
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“His Excellency has prioritized the safety, dignity, and empowerment of Edo people, especially victims of trafficking and returnees,” he noted.
The director general said the state government has launched two flagship policy models, which encourage community members to report suspected cases of trafficking or migration-related crimes and offer psychosocial support, vocational training, business start-up support, and long-term integration plans to trafficked victims.
Agazuma explained that the agency works in close collaboration with faith-based institutions, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and international development partners.
It has functional migration desks and field officers strategically located across the 18 local government areas of the state to deepen grassroots engagement and data-driven responses.
To shift long-standing myths about migration, the agency is driving a comprehensive safe migration education campaign, targeting both potential migrants and returnees.
“Many young people falsely believe that life abroad is a bed of roses, simply because they see flashy lifestyles during holiday returns from Europe.
“The agency is working to correct these misconceptions by presenting truthful and practical insights into the real challenges migrants face abroad,” he disclosed.
The director-general emphasized that embassies must support safe migration by making legal migration affordable and accessible.
