Ado Salisu
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment says more than 281 million migrants are currently residing outside their countries of origin, with over 169 million moving in search of sustainable livelihoods and improved economic opportunities.
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The Zonal Director of the Ministry, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu, disclosed this in Kano during a capacity-development workshop for Northwest members of the Nigerian Migration Advisory Network.
Mr Aliyu said thousands of vibrant and talented young people were actively seeking opportunities to advance their education, acquire modern skills and secure meaningful employment both locally and internationally.
He said the growing movement of people in search of better economic opportunities required stronger frameworks to ensure safe, regular and orderly labour mobility.
According to him, the ministry remains committed to mitigating the risks associated with irregular migration by strengthening and institutionalising mechanisms that promote safe and orderly movement of workers.
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Mr Aliyu said the ministry, through its Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) and the Nigerian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration, had made significant progress in providing counselling and other support services to potential migrants and returning migrants.
He explained that the services were available not only in Abuja but also across states and regions with high levels of migration.
The Zonal Director said the ministry was also collaborating with key international and regional partners, including institutions in Germany, the European Union and ECOWAS, to promote safe labour migration and enhance opportunities for migrants.
He stressed the importance of equipping young people with relevant skills and accurate information to enable them make informed decisions about migration and employment opportunities.
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Highlights of the workshop included presentations by representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other stakeholders on issues relating to migration and labour mobility.
A communique is expected to be issued at the end of the workshop on Wednesday.