A major breakthrough in the Southeast migration landscape is underway, as the German Development Corporation (GIZ) has announced its readiness to support the establishment of a Migration Resource Centre (MRC) in Enugu, to serve as a regional hub for migration management, returnee reintegration, and information services for intending migrants.
The move marks a significant step toward addressing irregular migration and supporting safe, well-informed mobility options for people across the region.
It will be the first of its kind in the Southeast, complementing similar GIZ-supported MRCs already operating in Abuja, Lagos, and Benin City.
Head of Programme, Centres for Migration and Development (ZME), GIZ Nigeria, Mrs. Sandra Vermuijten, led a high-level delegation to Enugu during the week to assess the facility proposed for the new centre.
The visit coincided with a capacity-building workshop jointly organized by GIZ and the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE).
Speaking during the event, Mrs. Vermuijten reaffirmed GIZ’s commitment to deepening migration governance in Nigeria.
She said the organisation is focused on empowering returnees and ensuring intending migrants access verified information, training, and counselling before embarking on journeys abroad.
“We are here to strengthen Nigeria’s migration ecosystem—helping people gain better skills, credible information, and certification that improve their prospects both at home and abroad,” she said.
Over 500,000 advisory services
According to her, GIZ has provided over 500,000 advisory and counselling services to Nigerians, leading to measurable improvements in livelihoods and policy reforms that align with international labour standards and ILO conventions.
She noted that while Nigeria has become a model within the African Union for adopting global best practices in return and reintegration of migrants, more work remains to consolidate gains and extend them to underserved regions like the Southeast.
“Building trust between government, civil society, and social partners is key to advancing quality migration services.
“Our role at GIZ is to facilitate this cooperation, ensuring people receive accurate guidance and opportunities for a dignified migration experience,” Vermuijten added.
She further disclosed that the GIZ-ZME programme, which began in 2017 and was renewed in 2023 for another five years, will roll out activities in Enugu next year, leveraging existing partnerships and innovations from CSOnetMADE.
Civil Society Applauds Initiative
Director and National Coordinator of CSOnetMADE, Rev. Fr. Emeka Obiezu, hailed GIZ for its sustained collaboration, noting that the establishment of an MRC in Enugu will be a game-changer for migration management in the Southeast.
According to him, the region faces peculiar migration challenges—ranging from unsafe migration routes to weak reintegration structures—that demand urgent attention.
“A functional Migration Resource Centre in Enugu will serve as a rallying point for coordination, support, and policy advocacy on migration issues across the Southeast,” he said.
Obiezu stressed that strengthening the capacity of stakeholders through initiatives like this remains critical in curbing irregular migration and promoting safe and productive mobility.
“With GIZ’s support, we can scale up efforts that ensure migrants from the Southeast are better informed, protected, and empowered,” he concluded.
