Abuja: The Vice-Chancellor of the 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.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, 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 highlighted the need for the academic community to play a central role in generating research and providing evidence-based solutions, as migration continues to influence national economies, security, and diplomacy. He noted that the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies, initially a one-off initiative by TETFund, has been reinstated as a permanent centre due to its impressive output and relevance. Peters emphasized that NOUN, as Nigeria’s premier open and distance learning institution, is strategically positioned to drive thought leadership in migration studies.
Peters mentioned 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 goal 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.
Prof. Gloria Anetor, Director of CEMGS, stated that the theme of the workshop was carefully chosen to encourage academia to take the lead in migration issues in Nigeria. The aim is to highlight the role of academia in the migration space and map out leadership activities that academia can undertake to position itself at the forefront of migration issues in Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries. Anetor stressed the importance of collaboration in cutting-edge research to reposition migration activities in ECOWAS countries.
Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, commended NOUN and CEMGS for their contribution to migration research in Nigeria. He noted that academia plays a vital role in migration governance through data generation, policy development, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination. He cited examples of successful collaboration between the commission and higher institutions, such as the establishment of a Migration Observatory at Nasarawa State University.
Ahmed highlighted the necessity of building migration governance on accurate data, research, and innovation, emphasizing that no sustainable policy can exist without a strong academic foundation. He also pointed out emerging areas requiring 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 engage actively in discussions and provide practical recommendations to 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, praised Peters as a go-getter and described his tenure as successful.