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Tag: Migration

  • Many Nigerians are leaving the country through investment migration – Report

    Many Nigerians are leaving the country through investment migration – Report

    NIGERIA ranks third among Africa’s ‘big 5’ private wealth markets behind South Africa and Egypt and more than ever before, affluent individuals are using the mechanism of investment migration as a hedge against unrelenting currency, market and political volatility on the continent.

    The country which had a projected 15 per cent growth rate in the 2021 Africa Wealth Report, moved up four steps from its 7th position, as both Lagos and Abuja were listed in the top 20 Africa’s wealthiest cities index for this year.

    The report published by Henley & Partners in partnership with New World Wealth, revealed that the total private wealth currently held on the African continent is $2.1 trillion and is expected to rise by 38 per cent to approximately $3 trillion over the next 10 years, while the current cumulative wealth of private individuals in Nigeria stands at $228 billion.

    Africa’s ‘Big 5’ private wealth markets account for over 50 per cent of the continent’s total wealth and there are currently 136,000 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with private wealth of $1 million or more living in Africa, along with 305 centi-millionaires worth $100 million or more, and 21 billionaires.

    The report reveals that wealthy investors from the Africa are futureproofing themselves and their families for whatever might lie ahead through residence and citizenship by investment.

    South Africa and Nigeria are in the top 10 countries globally in terms of both enquiries and applications for investment migration in 2022 and in the first half of the year, had already received 63 per cent of the enquiries received in the entire 2021 year from affluent citizens of African countries.

    Head of Henley & Partners Nigeria Stuart Wakeling, said Covid, climate change and conflict, including the war in Europe, are currently key drivers of investment and wealth migration.

    “In addition to the traditional benefits of enhanced global mobility, for the African investor, residence and citizenship by investment programs offer a proven diversification strategy in terms of wealth and legacy management and domicile optionality, and many programs also include the option to invest in real estate, which itself has multiple yields,” Wakeling stated.

    The appeal of investment migration for affluent families, according to the report, is due to the many benefits, ranging from domicile diversification to global mobility enhancement, accessing world-class education and healthcare, or having a plan B in times of turmoil.

    “As the post-pandemic era commences, African entrepreneurs and investors face new choices about where best to locate their families as well as their headquarters, production, and workforces.

    “Investment migration provides a channel for building a portfolio of multiple complementary residences and citizenship options to enable you to take advantage of opportunities, as well as hedge against the volatility and risks that the new world order might bring,” the report said.

    According to Henley & Partners’ data, the top five programs that African nationals are enquiring about in 2022 are the Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, the Canada Start-Up Visa Program, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, and the UK Innovator Program.

    European destinations such as Malta, Montenegro, Spain, and Greece are also popular to secure either residence rights or citizenship through investment.

    Commenting in the report, international author and Chief Executive Officer of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners Vusi Thembekwayo, said the ascent of new wealth economies, along with megacities and the diversification of wealth-creating sources are just some of the exciting trends driving the creation and flow of capital across the continent.

    “Africa’s story is one of polar domination, with the largest wealth management centers traditionally situated in South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, but the rise of frontier economies that are attracting new wealth by positioning themselves as preferred investment destinations is challenging this narrative,” Thembekwayo said, noting that Mauritius and the Seychelles have recently been the most deliberate with this strategy.

    Senior Consultant at Henley & Partners Nigeria Chidinma Okebalama, adds that many sub-Saharan countries are most vulnerable to climate change as well as having poor global mobility, with their passports ranking consistently low on the Henley Passport Index.

    She highlights in the report that African HNWIs place a particularly high value on family and leaving a lasting legacy for the benefit of future generations.

    “Most investment migration programs enable investors to include family members in their applications, and some allow qualifying siblings, parents and grandparents as well, making these programs an ideal mechanism for protecting loved ones by ensuring that they have optionality in terms of where they can live, work, study, and retire to in the years ahead,” she said.

  • MDCAN decries mass migration of medical, dental consultants to developed countries

    MDCAN decries mass migration of medical, dental consultants to developed countries

    The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) on Sunday decried that over 100 consultants left 17 Nigerian health institutions for developed countries.

    MDCAN said the mass migration has caused significant disruptions to the Nigerian healthcare ecosystem.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the National President of the association, Dr Victor Makanjuola, who read the communique from the end of the National executive council of the association which was held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, noted that the Federal Government had failed to address the implementation of the upward review of retirement age of health workers which has further heightened irreversible damage to the nation’s health security.

    Makanjuola also noted that the decision of the Federal Government to release a circular on the new hazard allowance was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during the negotiation with the association.

    He said, “Many recent policies of government appear to target medical professionals and their practice in Nigeria, which adversely impact on quality of healthcare delivery in the country. The recently released circular on review of hazard allowance by the Federal Government is grossly inadequate to address the multiple risks faced by an average health worker in Nigeria and further complicates the near-complete erosion of relativity in remuneration that has existed among different health workers.

    “Despite the announcement of government’s approval of an upward review of retirement age for health workers, there have been administrative impediments to its implementation. The mass exodus of medical and dental consultants to more developed countries has brought significant disruptions to Nigeria’s health care ecosystem. Over 100 consultants had left the services of 17 tertiary health institutions in the last 24 months”.

    He, however, added that the National Executive Council has resolved that “There is need for immediate review of the recently released circular on hazard allowance by the Federal Government, which was not in line with the earlier agreement reached during negotiation with our association.

    “The Federal Ministry of Health, National council on establishments and other relevant agencies should expedite action on the implementation of the upward review of retirement age for health workers to prevent further delay in irreversible damage to the nation’s health security from the brain drain of experienced and high skilled health workforce.

    “Government should, as a matter of urgency, put policies in place to stop the mass exodus of highly-skilled medical and dental consultants to developed countries.

  • SEEFAR calls for human-interest reporting on migration

    Media practitioners have been urged to report migration developments from a humanitarian angle to improve public understanding of migration realities.

    The call was made by the Coordinator of The Migrant Project Nigeria, Clare Henshaw, on Monday while receiving members of the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) in Lagos.

    The Migrant Project is one of the global humanitarian interventions of SEEFAR, a social enterprise with the mission to work with vulnerable people to build a better future.

    “We believe that the media plays a pivotal role in shaping beliefs and influencing decisions; hence, we seek avenues to collaborate and empower media practitioners through training and resources to help them produce more human-angle stories on migration which more people can relate with,” said Henshaw.

    Speaking about JIFORM’s visit, President Ajibola Abayomi said the courtesy call was to solicit support for its International Migration Conference billed to hold on 25 – 29 November 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria.

    He said the conference would bring together thought leaders, policymakers, government agencies, local and international non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to forge a common front towards resolving irregular migration and human trafficking challenges in Nigeria.

    “We invite you once again call on SEEFAR to join this all-important conference and help sustain in Nigeria and beyond advocacy against human trafficking. It is also about making government wake up to its responsibilities by creating more opportunities for the citizens,” Abayomi said.

    In her response to the forum’s request for conference support, Clare appreciated the forum for taking the initiative on the conference and also inviting SEEFAR to be a part of the event.

    She noted that the enterprise was reviewing the request for support and will communicate its position to the group in due time.

    Earlier, Clare explained to the visiting journalists that the Migrant Project uses an integrated communications approach to provide information on the realities, risks and alternatives to irregular migration whilst debunking myths around undocumented migration.

    According to her, the campaign has in the last one year counselled thousands of potential migrants and returnees of which 2,000 of them have been successfully connected to various skill empowerment programmes or employment both in Lagos and Edo states.

    JIFORM, an international platform with over 140 migration-oriented journalists was represented by its President, Ajibola Abayomi; Sunday Aikulola, The Guardian Newspaper; Innocent Duru, The Nation Newspapers; Bukola Adetiloye, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); Yemi Izuora, Oriental News Nigeria; Precious Eze, Blogger and Austin Nwadinamou, Publisher of the Primetimes Reporter.

  • FG moves to discourage young Nigerians from migration

    The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) on Monday commenced a national skills acquisition programme for about 2000 Nigerian returnees and persons of concern.

    NCRMI’s South-West Zonal Head, Mrs Margaret Ukegbu, made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of a Five-Day Skills Acquisition Training for returnees and persons of concern in Surulere and Yaba, in Lagos State.

    Ukegbu said that the decision to train the returnees and others by

    the commission was to discourage them and those intending to travel to Europe or other foreign countries.

    “The Honourable Federal Commissioner believes that providing durable solutions to the challenges of these returnees is the best way to ensure that they have dignity.

    “So the commission has come up with the training programme as the most practical and result-oriented way of empowering these returnees and persons of concern to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining.

    “The commission really wants these young Nigerians to know that there is no need for them to be seeking better lives abroad and that that better life and opportunities are available to them in this country.

    “It is just for them to seek the better life and opportunities around

    them and earn revenue on a daily basis, rather than risking their lives while trying to travel to Europe,’’ she said.

    Ukegbu said that the training was scheduled to hold simultaneously in Yaba and Surulere in Lagos State, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, and the North-East of the country, within five days.

    The NCRMI official said that the training was meant to develop the skills of the returnees, refugees and persons of concern in

    cosmetology, phone repairs, soap making and photography.

    She said the 200 beneficiaries in the South-West, covering Yaba, Surulere and Ijebu-Ode, would be exposed to skills in cosmetology, phone repairs, soap making and photography.

  • Irregular Migration : FG advises Nigerians to utilise migrants resource centres

    Irregular Migration : FG advises Nigerians to utilise migrants resource centres

    The Federal Government on Wednesday advised Nigerians who are planning to migrate to make use of the newly created Migrant Resource Centres (MRC) to get adequate information relating to their destination countries.

    The government said the centres where established in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to stem the tide of irregular migration by Nigerians.

    NAN reports that the federal government inaugurated the MRCs in Abuja, Lagos and Edo.

    Mr Segun Afolayan, Acting Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), made the disclosure in Lagos while receiving a fresh batch of 116 Stranded Nigerians repatriated from Libya.

    Afolayan noted that migration was a fundamental right of every human being but must be done in ways that would not violate the laws of the host nations.

    According to him, the government is concerned about irregular migration by some young Nigerians which led to the establishment of the centres domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment offices at Benin, Lagos and Abuja.

    “The centres are opened to all Nigerians who wish to travel outside the country. They can access detailed information on their intended country of destination.

    “Such information includes the types of employment and educational opportunities, counseling on the right and safe routes to travel as well as the security level of the expected country.

    Afolayan, therefore, advised the returnees to be at the vanguard against irregular migration and use their experiences in Libya to discourage other Nigerians from embarking on such perilous journeys.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 12.40 a.m. on Wednesday aboard an Al Buraq Al Buraq Airlines with registration number UZ 489.

    The returnees who were assisted back to the country by the IOM comprised of 46 adult females, two female children and five female infants. and 56 male adults, six male children and eight male infants.

  • Human trafficking: Obaseki advocates skills-based migration

    Human trafficking: Obaseki advocates skills-based migration

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Edo indigenes migrating to other parts of the world stand a better chance at life if they are equipped with on-demand skills to make them globally competitive.

    Governor Obaseki, who said this during a town hall meeting with indigenes of Edo under the aegis of Great Benin Origins (GBO) Worldwide, in Brussels, Belgium, noted that the state government is already working out modalities for Edo youth to develop these skills in the state.

    He kicked against the activities of human traffickers, who have given the state a bad name, noting that the state government is firming arrangements with local and international partners to train youth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that they can be globally competitive.

    “Instead of all these people coming in to take money from these children, you can come, we will register you, we will train you, we will certify you and give you visas to go and work abroad. That is how it is done in other countries.

    “Our people are very important, and I am calling on you to join me in laying the foundation for the future,” he said.

    He lauded the group for working assiduously in sustaining the Benin identity, calling for a united front in the quest to develop the state.

    According to him, “Let us not make ourselves sub-minorities. Let us show unity and strength in numbers. So, we must make sure we come together, and reach out to others as Edo people.

    “We are doing other things in the area of infrastructure. That is the one you will see. We are rebuilding our road networks. Thank God we have a well-planned like city”

    President, Great Benin Origins (GBO) Worldwide, Engr. Isaac Igbinosun, lauded the governor for his leadership style, commitment to attracting investment to the state and initiatives on youth development.

    “We are proud of you, we are proud of your achievement since you took over the leadership of governing our state, Edo. We feel safe each time we look at what you are doing. We are solidly behind you and anytime we are called upon, we will be there to contribute our quota back home. It is always said that no matter where you go, home is home. We are very proud of you, we encourage you to continue,” Igbinosun said.

    The Great Benin Origin (GBO) is a social cultural organisation that seeks to bring all Edo indigenes in diaspora under one umbrella with the purpose of restoring the lost glory of the great Benin Kingdom, promoting the Edo culture and tradition and assisting the economic development of the state.

    Igbinosun noted that some of the programmes of the group in promoting the preservation of Edo cultures include sponsorship of Edo culture and language competitions, award of scholarships to primary and secondary schools’ students as well as organising a diaspora state workers’ programme for the youth.

    He urged the state government to continue with the reforms on the ease of doing business, as members of the group are interested in investing in various aspects of the state’s economy with focus on agriculture and food security.

    The group also applauded the governor on his initiatives to improve the security architecture and guarantees on the sanctity of contracts, noting that these would endear the state to investors.

     

  • Slave trade: NAPTIP, NIS, partner EU, others on trafficking, migration in Nigeria

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, have partnered with the European Union, EU, the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, on how to combat illegal migration and human trafficking in the country.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, represented by the Director Research/ Programme Development, Godwin Mouka, said there was no better time than now for the country to wake up and combat illegal migration.

    This, Ms. Okah-Donli said, was vital especially with the growing increase of Nigerians illegally travelling abroad through illegal channels.

    She said the Act prohibiting illegal migration /traffic in persons had really assisted the agency in carrying out its professional responsibilities of fighting illegal migration and trafficking in the country.

    She said the Act had also enabled the agency to prosecute traffickers as well as assist trafficking victims.

    The director general said the partnership with foreign organisations had really improved the services of the agency, especially in the area of prosecution.

    She said the agency had been able to embark on public enlightenment campaign, especially in the rural areas urging people to desist from such act as it was punishable by law.

    Ms. Okah-Donli said to enable the agency to carry out its professional responsibilities, it had embarked on training and retraining of personnel for effective and efficient service delivery.

    She said NAPTIP was ever ready to synergise and cooperate with relevant agencies in the discharge of its duties, especially because of the challenge trafficking/ illegal migration posed.

    The Officer-in-charge, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Elisabeth Bayer, said the office was partnering with NAPTIP and NIS to assist the country in combating the menace.

    Mrs. Bayer also commended Nigeria for establishing an Act prohibiting human trafficking and illegal migration in the country.

    Also, the Deputy Head of EU to Nigeria/ECOWAS, Richard Young , said the organisation was in partnership with NAPTIP and NIS to remove the ugly side of illegal migration in Nigeria.

    Mr. Young said that the task of the EU was to minimise the risk involved and the implications of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    He promised to continue to assist Nigeria where and when necessary in its quest to combat the menace that was on the increase.

    The Comptroller-General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, who was represented by Justina Tekkune, Deputy Comptroller Immigration (DCI), said the partnership was timely and a good thing to happen to Nigeria.

    Mr. Babandede also commended the international organisations for their efforts at making sure that Nigeria overcomes the challenges of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    He promised to sustain the relationship for the good of the service and the country.

    The Head of Missions, IOM, Charles Harns, commended Nigeria for being proactive in combating the challenge human trafficking and illegal migration posed to the country in recent times.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that the partnership will go a long way in reducing human trafficking and illegal migration in the country,” Mr. Harns said.

     

  • Buhari cautions against illegal migration of Nigerian youths to Europe

    Buhari cautions against illegal migration of Nigerian youths to Europe

    President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at the high rate of illegal migration of Nigerian youths to European countries through the Mediterranean Sea.

    Buhari made this known at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Sahel and West Africa, organised by the Food Crisis Protection Network in Abuja on Monday.

    The president, who was represented by Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, called for an immediate stop to the action by Nigerians, saying it was unfair to European countries.

    He said that agriculture revitalisation was a solution to the migration issue, while expressing the readiness of his administration to support farmers in order to boost local production in the country.

    “We are pained when we see our youths across West and North Eastern Africa in a desperate attempt to cross the desert; get to Libya and cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

    “We consider it as something that must stop as fast as possible because it is unfair to Europe.

    “We think that if we reorganise our agriculture better, many of these youths will earn a decent living at home rather than become an embarrassment to their host countries and to us here in Africa.

    “We are not unmindful of our youths population here, hence the need to ensure that the agriculture sector is revitalised as soon as possible.

    “We have decided that we will no longer rely on rainfall, we will create dams, water reservoirs and insist on harvesting food at least three times in a year,’’ the president assured.

    On food crisis in the West African region, he described the threat as real, saying that urgent steps were necessary to address the challenge.

    According to him, there are 800 million hectares of agricultural lands across the world yet to be cultivated and Africa owns half of them.

    The president, appealed to Sahel and West African agricultural stakeholder to devise ideas that would guarantee better management in cattle breeding through artificial insemination.

    Buhari, however, said his administration was aggressively tackling humanitarian crisis of the Internally Displaced Persons by attending to issues of food and nutrition, especially for women and children in the North East.

    Mr Marcel De Souza, the President of ECOWAS Commission, said that no fewer than 40 million Nigerians were internally displaced as a result of the insecurity in the North eastern region.

    He listed some of the developmental challenges of the Sahel and West African regions to include economic and political governance.

    De Souza called on governments of the regions to invest toward addressing unemployment and food crisis, which he described as bane to development.

    Mr Kassoum Denon, the Malian Minister of Agriculture, appealed to various countries in the Sahel and West Africa to share ideas and success stories with a view to addressing food crisis in the regions.

    The Food Crisis Protection Network is an international network created in 1984 as part of regional system for the prevention of food crisis.

    It brings together Sahelian and West African expertise of the humanitarian and development spheres by mobilising available resources for social protection, livelihoods, nutrition, agricultural development, natural resources management to benefit the most vulnerable populations.

    It aims to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by 2030 in the regions.