Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has called for a coordinated regional strategy to tackle irregular migration, human trafficking and the challenges faced by Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
Otti made the call during the inaugural South-East Migration Dialogue 2026 held at the Government House, Umuahia, where he urged governments, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and deliver practical solutions.
Represented by his Deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, the governor said the South-East needed to translate Nigeria’s National Migration Framework into concrete programmes capable of protecting migrants while maximising the benefits of migration for individuals, families and communities.
He said migration should be safe, lawful, orderly and protected, stressing that state governments could complement the Federal Government’s constitutional responsibilities through skills development, data collection, investment, diaspora engagement and the protection of migrants.
According to Otti, the region must avoid a situation where people embark on international journeys without adequate skills, reliable information, protection or a clear strategy for contributing to their communities after achieving success abroad.
The governor identified five key areas for action: the development of a regional migration framework, expansion of digital skills, promotion of safe migration, stronger diaspora protection and development, and effective reintegration of returning migrants.
He also warned about the dangers associated with irregular migration, particularly the exploitation of young Nigerians by traffickers and fraudulent migration agents.
Speaking on behalf of the governor’s wife, Priscilla Otti, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme-Uche, highlighted cases of Nigerians losing their savings to migration agents and others suffering detention, death in deserts and dangerous journeys across the seas.
She called for stronger collaboration to protect the dignity, safety and welfare of Nigerians travelling within and outside the country.
The Director-General of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Dr Aliyu Tijani-Ahmed, said the dialogue marked an important step towards decentralising migration governance in Nigeria.
Tijani-Ahmed noted that the South-East has significant migration flows and a large diaspora population, while also facing challenges involving irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and return migration.
He commended Otti for hosting the dialogue and recalled the governor’s decision to provide N1 million each to identified Abia indigenes who returned from South Africa following xenophobic attacks.
The dialogue, organised by the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSoNetMADE), brought together policymakers, migration experts, development partners and civil society groups to examine migration trends and develop evidence-based solutions.
Stakeholders at the event stressed the need for reliable migration information, expanded employment and skills opportunities, stronger migrant protection and better reintegration programmes for returnees.
