The federal government has commenced a review of the National Migration Policy to improve migration governance and address displacement challenges. Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed this during a three-day technical working group meeting on migration and development held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ahmed stated that the review, initiated in 2022, seeks to create safer migration pathways for Nigerians while addressing issues such as displacement caused by flooding and banditry. “The committee has been set up to oversee the necessary processes and logistics related to the migration policy,” Ahmed explained.

The commissioner emphasized the importance of the revised policy, describing it as a comprehensive framework to guide migration management over the next five years. “The goal is to produce a national migration policy that sets a benchmark for effective migration governance and positively impacts our nation and its people,” he added.

Ahmed highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s refugee crisis, noting that over 53,000 Nigerians currently reside as refugees in Cameroon, with additional numbers in Chad and other neighboring countries. Within Nigeria itself, approximately 25,000 refugees remain displaced. He assured that plans are underway to repatriate these individuals.

The meeting, organized by the NCFRMI with support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Migration Partnership Trust Fund (MPTF), also addressed collaborative strategies for improving migration governance.  The initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to tackling migration challenges and fostering better conditions for refugees, internally displaced persons, and migrants both domestically and abroad.