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The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on media practitioners to stop criminalizing migration, commonly referred to as ‘Japa’, and instead engage in balanced and constructive discourse on its impact.
Speaking at the sixth International Conference on Development and Communication in Africa in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Dabiri-Erewa, represented by NIDCOM Secretary, Sule Bassi, emphasized that migration is a fundamental human right and should not be portrayed negatively when done legally.
“We must recognize that migration is a natural phenomenon and should not be criminalized in any way,” she said. She also warned against generalizing the negative actions of a few Nigerians abroad, urging the media to focus on the successes and contributions of the Nigerian diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need to reverse brain drain into brain gain, encouraging an environment where Nigerian talent can thrive both at home and abroad.
The conference, organized by the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM) at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), focused on “Japa: Communicating Migration, Diaspora, and Africa’s Development.”
NSUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sa’adatu Liman noted that while migration poses challenges like brain drain and socio-economic disparities, it also presents opportunities for remittances, knowledge transfer, and investment. She urged stakeholders to shape migration narratives in ways that empower rather than weaken Africa.
ISDEVCOM Executive Director Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura highlighted the importance of leveraging diaspora contributions while addressing migration-related challenges.
He further stressed that the conference aimed to generate policy recommendations and interventions to guide Nigeria’s approach to migration.
The event brought together academics, policymakers, media professionals, and diaspora engagement influencers, including representatives from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), to foster discussions on migration’s role in Nigeria’s development.
