Nigeria To Harness Gains As It Hosts Rabat Meeting On Migration

Nigeria is set to reap significant diplomatic, economic, and developmental dividends as it prepares to host the first Rabat Process Thematic Meeting under its Chairmanship of the influential Euro-African dialogue on migration and development.

The meeting, which will bring together over 100 delegates from 57 partner countries, is scheduled to take place from May 13 to 14, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) highlighted the strategic opportunities the event presents for Nigeria as a regional and global leader in migration governance.

“This meeting will not only spotlight Nigeria’s leadership on the international stage but also catalyse new partnerships, investment prospects, and youth development initiatives,” the Commissioner said. “It reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to placing youth, innovation, and education at the heart of global migration discourse.”

Under the theme “Youth, Innovation and Education – Driving the Future of Migration,” the two-day conference is expected to produce actionable strategies for empowering African youth through education, digital innovation, skills development, and diaspora engagement. These are areas in which Nigeria stands to benefit through increased donor support, technical cooperation, and knowledge exchange.

Nigeria’s Chairmanship of the Rabat Process, assumed in January 2025, marks the first time a West African and English-speaking country has led the 57-member intergovernmental platform. This role has already elevated the country’s influence in migration diplomacy, most recently demonstrated when Nigeria presided over the Rabat Process Steering Committee in March.

The Commissioner emphasized that hosting the meeting will project Nigeria as a destination for high-level diplomatic engagements, opening doors for broader collaboration with international partners, including the European Union and key bilateral donors.

“By placing our youth at the centre of this global conversation, we are setting the foundation for sustainable economic and social development,” she said. “The meeting will facilitate policy alignment, showcase Nigeria’s best practices, and help attract resources and partnerships focused on human capital development.”

Among the benefits anticipated are increased visibility for Nigerian innovation ecosystems, new linkages between Nigerian and international academic institutions, and deeper engagement with the Nigerian diaspora—who remain crucial to national development through remittances, investments, and knowledge transfer.

The event, co-hosted by the Kingdom of Spain, will also serve as a springboard for Nigeria to advocate for safer and more regular migration pathways, in response to the growing “Japa” trend that has seen a surge in emigration by young Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.

The Commissioner noted that irregular migration carries serious risks, including exploitation and abuse. “Hosting this meeting gives us the platform to lead a global campaign for informed and safe migration choices. It is about saving lives and building futures,” she added.

Opening the event will be key Nigerian dignitaries, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; and NIDCOM Chair, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who will deliver the keynote message.

Beyond the official sessions, a Cultural Night and Dinner will showcase Nigeria’s hospitality and cultural diversity, reinforcing its soft power appeal.

The Rabat Process, launched in 2006, fosters cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination along migration routes between Central, West, and North Africa and Europe. With Nigeria at the helm, stakeholders expect the thematic meeting to advance a migration agenda that is inclusive, youth-driven, and development-oriented.

“As Chair of the Rabat Process, Nigeria is poised to shape global thinking on migration, not just as a challenge but as an opportunity for shared progress,” the Commissioner concluded.