The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has said migration has become one of the most challenging issues in the 21st Century by shaping economies, redefining communities and influencing national development and global diplomacy.
He stated this at the 2025 Annual Workshop organised by the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies of the National Open University of Nigeria, which was held at the Conference Centre of the university in Abuja, with theme: “Strengthening And Maximizing Academic Presence in The Migration Space in Nigeria.”
Peters said Nigeria, like many nations, continues to grapple with the complex realities of migration, explaining that “it is our collective responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the discourse.
“As the nation's premier Open and Distance Learning institution, NOUN is uniquely positioned to take leadership in research and knowledge production on migration.
“Through CEMGS, we are committed to advancing scholarship, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that research findings translate into evidence-based policies that address Nigeria's migration challenges while aligning with global trends.”
The Vice-Chancellor said the workshop bruoght together an impressive array of stakeholders: distinguished scholars, policymakers, international development partners, civil society actors, and postgraduate students.
“The diversity in this gathering reflects the interdisciplinary nature of migration studies and the importance of collaborative engagement,” he said.
In his address, the Honourable Federal Commissioner, National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Aliyu Ahmed Tijani, said Nigeria and commission have long recognised the invaluable contribution of the academia to the management and governance of migration.
Hon. Tijani, represented by Amb. Catharine Odida, added that “the academia continues to play an indelible role in shaping our understanding of migration trends, in strengthening our policy frameworks, and in refining our institutional responses to migration-related challenges.”
He said this is further exemplified within Nigeria's current migration governance architecture; which is guided by an " all-of-government and all-of-society " approach, where the academia continues to maintain a strong and visible presence.
They serve not only as research and advisors, but also as policy contributors and thought leaders in shaping migration discourse and decision-making processes, he said.
In her address , the Director, CEMGS, Prof. Gloria Anetor, said the objectives of the workshop were to succinctly bring out the roles of academics in the migration space.
It was also aimed at mapping out the leadership activities the academia can take to position themselves in the the forefront of migration activities in Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries.
“It is also to target all academia in the migration space in Nigeria and West Africa to collaborate in cutting edge research, which will help to reposition migration activities in ECOWAS countries,” the director said.
Anetor added that NOUN, which is the biggest Open and Distance Learning institution in Sub-Sahara Africa, should take the lead in uniting the academia in Migration Centre of Excellence in Nigeria, and Nigeria being the largest country in Africa with so many academics can successfully coordinate the migration issues among the academia beyond Nigeria.
A Book Presentation and Review in Honour of the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olufemi Peters, was unveiled, with the title of the book as: " Migration and Sustainable Development: Problems and Prospects."
The book was reviewed by the former NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, who recalled the decision to establish the centre back in the time.
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