Nigeria Pushes Stronger Diaspora Engagement, Migration Governance at IMRF 2026
Oru Leonard
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens abroad and leveraging diaspora contributions for national development at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026) taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, made the declaration while serving as Co-Chair of Roundtable 3 on Diaspora Engagement during the global forum.
According to the Minister, Nigeria’s diaspora community remains a vital partner in driving inclusive economic growth through remittances, investments, innovation, and skills transfer. He said the Federal Government is repositioning its diaspora engagement strategy to ensure stronger integration of diaspora contributions into national development frameworks.
Dr. Doro disclosed that platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and diaspora-focused financial instruments are being strengthened to promote investment opportunities and facilitate skills transfer to Nigeria.
He noted that the government now views Nigerians in the diaspora not only as beneficiaries of protection systems but as active development partners capable of contributing meaningfully to national transformation.
The Minister stressed the need for more coordinated and systems-driven approaches to migration and humanitarian interventions, rather than fragmented responses. He said the IMRF roundtable offered countries an opportunity to strengthen preventive protection mechanisms, deepen partnerships, and adopt innovative migration governance strategies.
“As we begin our discussions, it is important to share concrete experiences, identify scalable solutions, and contribute to building a more proactive, inclusive, and development-oriented migration system,” he stated.
Dr. Doro further explained that Nigeria’s position aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises inclusive growth, stronger international partnerships, and expanded opportunities for Nigerians at home and abroad.
He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the Forum would help advance a more inclusive and coordinated migration system capable of safeguarding citizens while maximising the development potential of the Nigerian diaspora.
The International Migration Review Forum 2026, held from May 5 to 8, serves as the principal intergovernmental platform for reviewing progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
The forum brings together heads of state, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and private sector stakeholders to strengthen global cooperation on migration governance.
