The Federal Government has been lauded for its leadership in tackling human trafficking and strengthening Africa-Europe migration cooperation.
The commendation came at the Joint Rabat, Khartoum, and Niamey Migration Forum held in Lagos on November 5, 2025. Delegates from 67 African and European countries praised Nigeria’s efforts in coordinating regional dialogue and promoting safe and orderly migration.
According to a statement by Alexander Oturu, Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigeria’s chairmanship of the Rabat Process has been instrumental in fostering regional partnerships and delivering concrete results on migration issues.
The statement highlighted that NCFRMI, alongside the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), showcased national achievements in border management, protection mechanisms, and dismantling criminal networks.
NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Honourable Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to turning dialogue into tangible outcomes. He also announced the launch of a Knowledge Product on Sustainable Reintegration, designed to guide partner countries with evidence-based strategies for supporting returning migrants.
Ahmed thanked France, the European Union, and ECOWAS for their partnership and urged delegates to maintain momentum ahead of the Senior Officials’ Meeting in Abuja in January 2026. At that meeting, Nigeria’s chairmanship will be formally reviewed, and Switzerland will be welcomed as the incoming Chair of the Rabat Process.
The statement emphasized that the Lagos forum showcased Nigeria’s leadership in promoting humane, coordinated, and development-driven migration governance while reinforcing Africa-Europe cooperation.
