Abuja: The Federal Government has officially presented and validated the Revised National Migration Policy (NMP) 2025 with its Integrated Implementation Plan. The migration policy was presented at the 2025 Migration Dialogue organized by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) with the support of other partners.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu urged migration stakeholders to focus on innovative solutions, collaborative approaches, and effective policy implementation. Represented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, Tinubu highlighted the significance of the revised policy, stating it introduces innovations, strengthens institutional coordination, and provides a clear implementation plan and monitoring framework. He emphasized the importance of adopting a governance model that is evidence-based, people-centered, and development-oriented.
The president affirmed that the revised policy reflects evolving migration realities and aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring coherence with regional and global instruments. He expressed gratitude for the continued support from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and other partners, which have bolstered Nigerians’ migration governance rights.
In his remarks, the Minister of State of the Ministry, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, highlighted that Nigeria currently hosts over 6 million internally displaced persons, many residing outside camps within host communities. He stressed the need for policies that extend beyond emergency response to focus on durable solutions, community stabilization, and social cohesion. Sununu identified poverty as a major driver of irregular migration, internal mobility, and vulnerability, underscoring the necessity of addressing migration alongside poverty.
Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, noted the commission’s strategic guidance, which has led to notable progress in the migration sector with federal government support. He announced a special event on climate-induced mobility and the Rabat process senior officials meeting scheduled for January next year, during which Nigeria will serve as chairman. Ahmed highlighted Nigeria’s sustained leadership in reinforcing the relevance of dialogue, partnership, and shared responsibility in tackling complex migration challenges.
The federal commissioner also mentioned that the commission, in collaboration with the IOM and other partners, facilitated the voluntary return of over 21,000 stranded Nigerian migrants through more than 97 flights from Libya, Niger, and Chad. Additionally, the commission coordinated the humanitarian reception of over 2,500 Nigerians forcibly returned from Europe and other regions.
Ms. Dimanche Sharon, the Chief of Mission at IOM, stated that the dialogue occurred at a pivotal moment. She emphasized that migration should lead to dignity and opportunity rather than despair and uncertainty. Sharon called for cooperation among federal, state, and local institutions to ensure that migration positively impacts people’s lives.
The Revised National Migration Policy 2025 is designed to enhance institutional coordination among migration-related government agencies. It seeks to align Nigeria’s migration governance with international best practices, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The policy aims to improve the protection and rights of migrants within Nigeria and abroad, promote safe and orderly migration, reduce irregular migration, and harness remittances, skills, and diaspora contributions. Following validation, the documents will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for formal adoption.