Agazuma applauds VNR, says event in line with EDMA’s mandate

 Hon Chief Lucky Agazuma, the Director General Edo State Migration Agency (EDMA), has applauded 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).   

He said the event is in line with the core mandate of EDMA.

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.

Agazuma said the VNR was quite impressive, because “what we learnt is in line with what we do. It  is in line with our core mandate.What we do in practical terms in EDMA, we are seeing here in theory. It will  go a long way in shaping all we are doing, because it’s in line with the law.”

Agazuma said the lessons learnt will improve migration issues in Nigeria because “it has to do with policy document. Of course, it’s going to help.And it will go a long way to protect the migrant workers, the diaporans , and the rest of them.  Because, for example, in the Gulf Nation, we know how people are suffering when they get to their employers. Automatically, they  seize their documents, seize their residence permit, and enslave them.  This will go a long way to reshapping all that, and avoid somebody treating Nigerians outside as if they are not from any nation.I think it’s going to help, and I must commend the federal government of Nigeria, I must commend the IOM, and, of course, all the relevant stakeholders who are present for this strategic meeting.”

Applauding the level of participation, he said: “ the engagement was quite good because we believe that no organization succeeds in isolation.

So, with this collaboration effort from the state level to federal level working together towards one goal, it’s going to yield a strategic result for Nigeria as a country.

When it comes to the area of migration, Nigeria is doing so well compared to other countries around the world.

And through the policies we have adopted so far, it’s going to help in reshaping and  reducing  the issue of irregular migration.  For example, in the case of Edo, before now, we all know that Edo had been the hub  of human  trafficking.  Since  Governor Opkebholo who is a strategist emerged, I can tell you now that Edo has dropped in the area of irregular migration. Kano State and the rest  are taking the lead. I must commend our governor, who is bringing out strategies. He brought out the rules and regulations’ strategies we should take.We followed the strategies and started getting awards.

“Other states, for example, Lagos State, Kano state, have started admiring what we are doing.  As a matter of fact, we got a signal through the IOM that they will be coming to Edo to learn from us how we are doing it in Edo State.  I repeat, Kano State and Lagos State are coming soon to join us in Edo State to learn from us what we are doing because the governor of Edo State, Senator Okpebholo is investing more on migration. As you can see, with his new developmental stride, where he spent billions on infrastructure, he knows that Edo people  will stay back and enjoy those facilities.  Therefore, that is helping to reduce this irregular migration, and creating job opportunities.”