Second Stakeholder Expert Panel by the University of Nigeria on February 19, 2024
The UNN research team, from the left, is Madu, Ezea, Uzomah and Ajaero
The University of Nigeria team in the GAPs project held its second Stakeholder Expert Panel on February 19, 2024, at the Top Rank Hotel Galaxy in Lagos Nigeria. Participants included state and non-state actors. Mr Ngozi Uzomah made the opening remarks, Prof C.K. Ajaero set the context, Mrs Eberechukwu Ezea was in charge of registration of the participants while Prof I. A Madu gave the vote of thanks. To facilitate maximum input, the stakeholders were separated into three groups for the brainstorming session. The high point of the meeting was during the brainstorming session when it was revealed that the informalities in the EU return migration policies for Nigeria are destined to be formalized in the ongoing review of the National Migration Policy of Nigeria (NMP) which is sponsored by IOM and the EU. It should be recalled that the Nigerian government is reluctant to sign an official readmission agreement between the EU and its Member States that will facilitate the seamless return of unqualified Nigerian migrants who are staying in the EU territory. Yet, many Nigerian migrants are often being returned from the EU through procedures that are not transparent and which may constitute violations of international norms. The revised edition of the NMP is expected to capture all the grey areas and unofficial activities between destination countries' Inland Enforcement Offices and government agencies in Nigeria and with other partners in the country thereby formalizing these grey areas.
See below, captures of Group A, B, C brainstorm during the group work session and a group photo of participants at the Stakeholder Expert Panel
