Professor Adebusuyi Adeniran, an expert in Migration and Development Sociology at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has called for a comprehensive rebranding and restructuring of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to improve its efficiency and better align it with its constitutional responsibilities.
Delivering the 407th inaugural lecture of OAU, titled “Migralusion: A Mix-Transnational Theory of ‘Japa’ Culture,” Adeniran emphasized the need to reposition the NIS as the lead agency in border security and migration management. He stressed that immigration data management should only be one aspect of its mandate, advocating for the agency to fully oversee border security, emigration, policy development and implementation, and advisory roles.
He proposed renaming the Nigeria Immigration Service to Nigeria Migration and Border Service (NMBS) or Nigeria Migration and Border Security (NMBS) to reflect its broadened functions and responsibilities.
Adeniran also urged the government to integrate migration education into the national curriculum from the primary level through to tertiary institutions. According to him, early education on migration will equip young Nigerians with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and reduce unsafe migration practices.
He noted that managing migration as an industry—particularly cross-border and transnational migration—could significantly boost national income. He pointed to countries like Sri Lanka and the Philippines, which have successfully integrated migration into their national development strategies, as models Nigeria can learn from.
“Migration, when properly structured and regulated at the industry level, has the potential to contribute significantly to a nation’s Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), especially in low- and middle-income countries,” he said.
Professor Adeniran also raised concerns about the overlapping and often redundant functions of multiple ministries, departments, and agencies involved in migration-related issues in Nigeria. He recommended the alignment of these bodies under a central authority, led by a reformed NIS, to ensure streamlined and effective migration management.
Criticizing countries like Canada, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates for frequently altering skilled migration visa policies in ways that disproportionately affect Nigerians, he called for more assertive migration diplomacy from the Nigerian government.
To support prospective migrants and reduce the risks of irregular migration, Adeniran proposed the establishment of Migration Clinics across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. These centers would provide free and accessible services for enlightenment, counseling, and monitoring of aspiring migrants, with a focus on youth and inclusivity across gender and age groups.
Finally, he called for Obafemi Awolowo University to be developed into a continental hub for migration research and policy analysis, positioning it as a central force in shaping migration discourse in Africa.