Stakeholders push awareness to combat trafficking, migrants smuggling
Immigration
By Fortune Abang
Abuja, Dec. 13, 2025 (NAN) Stakeholders in the migration sector have underscored the need for human rights-based and digital-awareness approaches to prevent trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
The stakeholders made the call at the youth conference and interactive dialogue centred on safe and dignified migration in the digital age under aegis of PROMIS project on Saturday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and iLEAD Africa, a non-governmental organization.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was to commemorate the 2025 International Migrants Day.
The PROMIS project seeks to strengthen national and regional responses to smuggling of migrants, and trafficking in persons through human-rights and gender sensitive approach.
The project also seeks effective response to human rights violations related to irregular migration.
Amb. Catherine Udida, Director Migrants Affairs, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs), stressed the need to empower young people with knowledge, skills, and platforms to promote safe, regular, and dignified migration.
“As most young people are leaving the country regularly, there are a few that are going through the irregular routes.
“So, because of the perils of those journeys, some of them are dying.
“We felt there should be more concentration on educating young persons on the benefits of migration and the dangers of taking irregular routes to migrate to other countries.
“The world is evolving and one aspect young people are using as basis for indulging in vices has to do with poor empowerment and lack of access to start-up facilities.”
Another aspect according to her is the need for investment for them to really be self-employed.
She reiterated that if people must leave the country, they should do so through the regular routes, adding, migration is a human right and that everybody is entitled to move if they want to move.
She, however, warned that taking dangerous routes and losing one’s life is not enough reason for irregular migration.
In a separate interview, Esther Sawa, Human Rights Officer of OHCHR, said the creation of awareness about migration has become important to further promote knowledge about human rights.
“Human rights is at the heart of migration; so, the whole premise of the PROMIS project is to ensure a human rights-based approach to migration governance.
“To add to the activities of the International Migrant Day, we decided to raise awareness as preventive measure, by talking to the youth who play key roles in migration sector on the subject matter.
“Their voice can amplify social issues and as migration has become a menace. So, to ensure they explore and use the regular pathway, we are trying to ensure they have the right information to be able to take those paths,” Sawa said.
For his part, the Programme Officer of iLEAD Africa, Mr Sunday Timothy, said the organisation would continue to leverage digital technology to empower young people and marginalised communities.
He explained the focus of the awareness about migration on young people to be because they are vulnerable when it comes to migration.
“So, we are here today to educate, you know, dialogue on the safe pathways for migration.
“If you want to migrate, you should know the legal backing and also the documents you need for you to migrate to the country of your choice.
“The event is also to engage young people in discussion and to educate them to know the importance of legal pathways. If at all they actually want to migrate, because migration is a human right,” Timothy said.
A highlight was keynote address delivered by Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) represented by Mr Amanahu Davids, an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration.
Also was a goodwill message was delivered by Adaobi Crown, Comptroller of Immigration Service on behalf of Nandap. (NAN) (http://www.nannews.ng)
FEA/IAA
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
