By Emmanuel Afonne

The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has called for greater academic involvement in shaping the country’s migration policy for national development and global engagement.

Peters made the call at the opening of a two-day workshop organised by the university’s Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS), in collaboration with the Civil Society National Network on Migration and Development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is part of a broader effort to align Nigeria’s migration governance with international standards, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The workshop at the university’s headquarters in Abuja, had as its theme: “Strengthening and Maximising Academic Presence in the Migration Space in Nigeria.”

The Vice-Chancellor said as migration continues to influence national economies, security and diplomacy, the academic community must play a central role in generating research and providing evidence-based solutions.

“The Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies was originally established as a one-off initiative by TETFund.

“However, due to its impressive output and relevance, it has been reinstated as a permanent centre of excellence. This shows how academic institutions can directly impact policy and national planning.

“NOUN, as Nigeria’s premier open and distance learning institution, is strategically positioned to drive thought leadership in the field of migration studies,” he said.

Peters noted that the workshop brought together academics, policymakers, international partners, civil society organisations and postgraduate students to discuss Nigeria’s migration realities and the way forward.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the goal of the workshop was to promote actionable research outputs such as policy briefs and proposals that can guide decision-makers.

He also appreciated the dedication of the centre’s staff and the efforts of past leaders who contributed to its growth, including Prof. Abdallah, who led its establishment.

The Director of CEMGS, Prof. Gloria Anetor, said the theme of the workshop was carefully chosen to steer the academia to take the front space in migration issues in Nigeria.

“The aim is to succinctly bring out the role of academia in the migration space.

“It also aims to map out the leadership activities the academia can take in positioning itself in the forefront of migration issues in Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries.

“The plan is also to target all academia in the migration space in Nigeria and West Africa, to collaborate in cutting edge research which will help to reposition migration activities in ECOWAS countries,” she said.

Anetor highlighted the importance of the workshop taking place at NOUN, noting that it is the biggest institution of learning in sub-Saharan Africa.

She expressed optimism that the workshop would strengthen ties between academia and policy institutions, and improve Nigeria’s capacity to respond to migration challenges.

In his remarks, Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, commended NOUN and the CEMGS for their contribution to migration research in Nigeria.

Ahmed said academia played a vital role in migration governance through data generation, policy development, capacity building and knowledge dissemination.

He cited examples of collaboration between the commission and higher institutions, including the recent establishment of a Migration Observatory at Nasarawa State University.

He added that academics were instrumental in the formulation of the 2015 National Migration Policy, and its recent review, which involved extensive input from researchers and experts.

“Migration governance must be built on accurate data, research, and innovation. No sustainable policy can exist without a strong academic foundation,” he said.

Ahmed also highlighted emerging areas that require deeper academic inquiry, such as climate-induced displacement, gender-based migration analysis, youth mobility, and regional frameworks like the Rabat and Khartoum processes.

He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and provide practical recommendations that would enhance Nigeria’s academic leadership in migration discourse.

The workshop also served as a platform to honour the Vice-Chancellor with a book launch dedicated to his tenure which is expected to end in February 2026.

The book reviewer, a former NOUN VC, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, described Peters as a go-getter.

Adamu described the tenure of Peters as successful. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma