The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) have entered into a five-year partnership to advance research, capacity building, policy engagement and practical interventions in migration and global studies.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NOUN’s Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMG&S) and the Migrants and Refugees Unit (MRU) of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Sonnie J. Oniye, described the agreement as a significant milestone in strengthening efforts to address migration-related challenges through research, knowledge exchange and capacity development.
He said migration had become an increasingly important issue with far-reaching implications for development, human security, livelihoods, social protection and the wellbeing of migrants, refugees, returnees and host communities.
According to him, addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration between academic institutions and organisations working directly with affected populations.
Prof. Oniye said the CEMG&S, as a specialised centre of NOUN, was committed to advancing migration scholarship, research, teaching, capacity development and evidence-based policy engagement, while the Catholic Secretariat, through its Migrants and Refugees Unit, brought valuable practical experience in responding to migration and displacement-related challenges.
He explained that the five-year MoU provides a framework for both institutions to leverage their respective strengths through joint research, knowledge exchange, capacity building, academic and professional activities, information sharing and other mutually beneficial initiatives.
Prof. Oniye expressed optimism that the collaboration would generate evidence and practical knowledge capable of supporting more effective responses to the challenges confronting migrants, refugees, returnees and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria and beyond.
He commended the management of CEMG&S and the leadership of the Migrants and Refugees Unit for their commitment to bringing the partnership to fruition, describing the agreement as the beginning of a productive and enduring relationship capable of delivering significant academic, research and societal impact.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, welcomed the NOUN delegation and described the partnership as timely, given the growing significance of migration as a global socio-economic, humanitarian and development issue.
He noted that while destination countries continued to explore measures to curb irregular migration and protect migrants’ rights, Nigeria was also confronted with challenges relating to human capital flight, diaspora engagement and internal displacement.
Rev. Fr. Banjo stressed that migration remained an important area of engagement for the Catholic Church because of its commitment to the dignity and welfare of the human person.
He explained that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria established the Migrants and Refugees Unit in 2023 to coordinate and strengthen the Church’s response to migration and displacement through spiritual, pastoral, humanitarian and development interventions.
While acknowledging the government’s primary responsibility for providing social services, he said the Church remained committed to complementing government efforts through partnerships and community-based interventions that support migrants, refugees and other vulnerable groups.
He expressed appreciation to NOUN for initiating the collaboration and expressed confidence that the partnership would create new opportunities for research, publications, workshops, conferences, entrepreneurship training and capacity building in migration and refugee studies.
The partnership is expected to promote collaborative research and innovation, enhance institutional capacity through joint training and academic exchanges, facilitate policy engagement and evidence-based advocacy, strengthen grant acquisition and project implementation, and support knowledge production, dissemination and public engagement.
In his vote of thanks, the Director, Pastoral Agents and Deputy Secretary-General, Rev. Fr. Augustine Okochi, described the partnership as well deserved and thanked NOUN for initiating the collaboration.
The Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies is a research-driven centre established by NOUN to advance scholarship, policy dialogue and evidence-based interventions in migration and global studies.
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