Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad while leveraging the economic and intellectual potential of its diaspora, as the country took a leading role at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026) in New York.
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, made this known while co-chairing Roundtable 3 on Diaspora Engagement at the high-level global forum held at the United Nations Headquarters.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Doro described Nigeria’s diaspora as a vital partner in national development, citing their contributions through remittances, investments, skills transfer, and innovation. He noted that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to better integrate these contributions into national development strategies.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and diaspora-focused financial instruments as key platforms being leveraged to boost investment flows and facilitate knowledge exchange. According to him, these measures are designed to ensure that diaspora engagement yields tangible socio-economic benefits.
The Minister emphasized that Nigeria is shifting its approach to view diaspora communities not only as beneficiaries of government protection but as active stakeholders in development. He added that Nigeria’s experiences, alongside those of other countries, offer useful insights for improving coordination and strengthening migration governance systems globally.
Dr. Doro also called for more coordinated and system-driven approaches to migration and humanitarian interventions, warning against fragmented responses. He urged stakeholders to focus on preventive protection mechanisms, deepen partnerships, and adopt innovative strategies that translate policy commitments into practical outcomes.
“As we begin our discussions, it is important to share concrete experiences, identify scalable solutions, and contribute to building a more proactive, inclusive, and development-oriented migration system,” he said.
The Minister reiterated that Nigeria’s position aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusive growth, stronger international partnerships, and expanded opportunities for Nigerians at home and abroad.
He expressed optimism that deliberations at the forum would strengthen global cooperation and produce actionable outcomes that enhance migration governance while maximizing the benefits of diaspora engagement.
The IMRF 2026, taking place from May 5 to 8, is a key intergovernmental platform for assessing progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. It brings together world leaders, policymakers, development partners, civil society, academia, and private sector actors to advance international collaboration and adopt a Progress Declaration to guide future migration actions.
