2026 VNR fully met our expectations – NIDCOM

Head of Programs Development Department for  Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Abiodun Akanbi has commended the just concluded Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) ahead of the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).   

The event which was held between February 17 and 21 at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, had the International Organisation for Migration,  other international partners, members of the civil society, federal and state government agencies among others in attendance.

He said the three-day event helped players in the sector to make tremendous progress brainstorming on many issues.

“Wow, It’s been an amazing time.

It’s been an amazing event for all of us,  especially some of us who have been following this migration governance in Nigeria, being coordinated by the NCFRMI, bringing together all the stakeholders in the migration space to harmonize, to discourse, to brainstorm on how we can make migration governance better in Nigeria.

“And going by the reason why we’re here this time around, preparing for the IMRF program coming up in New York in May to discuss how to present our case, our achievements so far in the migration space for national development, I think it’s a wonderful  idea bringing all the stakeholders, both government, both non-state actors,  CSOs and even the media and everyone together to see how we can make things better for the country.”

Stating that his expectations were fully met, Abiodun said: “We have made a very tremendous progress in brainstorming about so many issues. Even myself, I’ve learned so many other things that I didn’t know before when it comes to some issues in migration space.

And I think, yes, they have done so well.  And with the help of IOM, who has been at the forefront of ensuring that migration governance takes that center stage in Nigeria, it’s been an amazing time.”

On  how the engagement will  impact on the work of NIDCOM, Abiodun said: “As you know, NIDCOM is an establishment of government set up and saddled with  responsibility to harness the skills, the talent, the resources and the global exposures of over 20 million Nigerians we have in the diaspora for national development. Everything we do in NIDCOM is towards national development. Many of our programs and activities tend towards national development, and that’s why we try as much as possible to encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to come back home, to give back to the society beyond social remittances,encourage foreign direct investment and do other things that can make Nigeria better.

And this has been going on. And now, a lot of Nigerians and the diaspora are beginning to believe in this government, are beginning to trust this government and are willing to come back home  and give back to the society for national development.”