Adebusuyi Adeniran, a Professor of Migration and Development Sociology at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has called for the rebranding of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to enhance its structure and responsibilities.
Adeniran made the call while delivering the 407th inaugural lecture of the university on Tuesday.
The lecture, titled “Migralusion: A Mix-Transnational Theory of ‘Japa’ Culture,” examined the dynamics of migration and development in Nigeria.
The professor said the NIS should be repositioned as the flagship agency for border security and migration management.
According to him, immigration data management is only one aspect of the agency’s role, adding that it should also focus on border security, emigration policy formulation and implementation, as well as advisory services.
He urged the Federal Government to integrate migration studies into school curricula from primary to tertiary levels.
Adeniran noted that establishing industry-level regulations was crucial for effective migration management, saying that migration could become a viable economic industry capable of boosting the nation’s Gross National Income (GNI).
“Cross-border and transnational migration should be transformed into an industry with the potential to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP,” he said.
“Countries like Sri Lanka and the Philippines have successfully integrated the management of emigration into their national development plans.”
He recommended that the NIS be renamed to reflect its constitutional mandate, suggesting titles such as Nigerian Migration and Border Service (NMBS) or Nigeria Migration and Border Security (NMBS).
Adeniran also called for better coordination among migration-related ministries, departments, and agencies to eliminate duplication of functions.
“A major challenge to efficient and safe migration management in Nigeria has been the undue proliferation of MDAs whose roles overlap and are often unexplainable,” he said.
He further noted that the lack of socio-economic opportunities at home often drives unstructured migration, which frequently results in economic migration at destinations abroad.
Adeniran criticized countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates for constantly changing their skilled work visa rules for Nigerians.
He urged the government to establish migration clinics in all 774 local government areas to provide enlightenment, counselling, and monitoring for prospective migrants, especially youths.
“Such migration clinics should be accessible, free, and inclusive for all age and gender categories,” he said.
Adeniran also advocated for the development of OAU as a leading centre for migration research and policy analysis in Africa.
