The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has called for intensified efforts to combat irregular migration and clamp down on unprofessional recruiters exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, made this appeal during a press briefing organized by the Association of Recruiter License Placement Agencies of Nigeria (ARLPAN) in Lagos. The event, themed “Effect and Implications of Consistent Irregular Migration,” addressed the rising concerns over illegal migration and its consequences.
Represented by Mr. Oladele Ogunkanbi, a staff of the Commission, Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the need to protect Nigerian youths from exploitation, ensuring that migration remains a choice rather than a necessity. She described the increasing trend of irregular migration as a national concern that requires collaboration between public and private entities to dismantle illegal recruitment networks.
The NiDCOM boss commended ARLPAN for its proactive role in tackling irregular migration and reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to working with relevant agencies to promote safe and legal migration pathways.
Speaking at the event, ARLPAN President, Mr. Rex Bamidele Jacob, highlighted key factors fueling irregular migration, including economic hardship, misinformation, human rights violations, and deceptive promises by unauthorized recruiters.
Jacob warned that the unethical actions of unlicensed recruiters have led many Nigerians into dangerous situations, including human trafficking, imprisonment due to falsified immigration documents, and even loss of lives.
He urged stakeholders to intensify efforts in curbing the activities of illegal recruiters, emphasizing the role of the media in raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration.
As part of the solution, Jacob advocated for stricter enforcement of laws regulating migration agencies, improved border management, enhanced international cooperation, strategic public sensitization campaigns, and a balanced approach to security and humanitarian concerns.
