NIDCOM Boss Urges Media to Stop Criminalizing Regular Migration, As ISDEVCOM Holds 6th International Conference

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on media outlets to stop criminalizing regular migration, popularly known as "Japa." 

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa made the call on while speaking at the 6th International Conference of the Institute for Strategic and Development Communication ISDEVCOM themed Japa: Communicating Migration, Diaspora, and Africa's Development.

Represented by the Secretary of NIDCOM, Engr. Sule Bassi, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the need for open and honest conversations about the opportunities and challenges of migration.

According to her "we must first of all identify and agree that migration is a fundamental human right issue. Regular migration, therefore should not be criminalized in anyway whatsoever," she said.

She cautioned against criminalizing all Nigerians in the diaspora due to the unscrupulous activities of a few individuals. Dabiri-Erewa described the conference theme as apt and of great importance to Africans, highlighting the need to build stronger connections between the diaspora and the continent.

In her remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the University Professor Saadatu Liman, also acknowledged the timeliness and importance of the conference theme noting that It also offer unique opportunities noting that our diaspora communities are a powerful force for development, contributing remittances, knowledge transfer and investment. The question before us is how do we shape migration narratives that empower rather than weaken Africa?

She also affirmed that migration presents undeniable challenges, including brain drain, loss of talent, and socio-economic disparities.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication ISDEVCOM Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, explained that the conference aimed to create a platform for conversations on the positive and negative aspects of migration. 

In his words "if you look at what comes in from Nigerians in the diaspora who are doing legitimate business and supporting legitimate professions across the globe, it is one of our main sources of revenue especially foreign in flow to this country". He emphasized the need to come up with policy recommendations and interventions to address the challenges associated with migration.