German Development Corporation To Support Establishment of Migration Resource Centre in S/East
Head of Programmes, GIZ-ZME Nigeria, Mrs. Sandra Vermuijten, during her visit to Enugu for an inspection of the proposed Migration Resource Centre facility.
By Kenechukwu Ofomah, Awka
Plans are in advanced stages for the establishment of a Migration Resource Centre (MRC) in Enugu, aimed at coordinating efforts to provide essential support for returnee migrants and accurate migration information for prospective migrants with the overarching goal of promoting safe and regular migration.
The initiative follows a 2020 appeal by the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Nigeria also known as the German Development Corporation requesting assistance in setting up MRCs in Enugu and Kano, given their unique migration-related challenges.
The German agency has already supported the creation and operation of similar centres in Abuja, Benin City (Edo State), and Lagos.
Earlier this week, the Head of Programme, Centres for Migration and Development (ZME), GIZ Nigeria, Mrs. Sandra Vermuijten, led a delegation to Enugu to inspect a proposed facility intended for the new MRC.
Speaking at the closing session of a capacity-building workshop organized in Enugu by the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE) in partnership with GIZ, Mrs. Vermuijten reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to complement ongoing efforts in supporting returnees and providing intending migrants with practical advice and accurate information about opportunities abroad.
According to her, GIZ’s support aims to strengthen Nigeria’s migration ecosystem by ensuring that people acquire the right skills and are well-informed about international labour market opportunities.
“We have observed that once individuals receive proper guidance, information, and training — especially training that leads to certification — they are able to transform their lives abroad within a remarkably short time,” she said.
Mrs. Vermuijten noted that GIZ’s advisory and counselling services have reached over 500,000 beneficiaries, leading to tangible improvements in livelihoods and supporting Nigeria’s policy reforms in migration management, including the adoption of ILO conventions.
She commended Nigeria’s progress, describing the country as a model within the African Union for its adoption of best practices in the return and reintegration of migrants. However, she emphasized that there is still much work to be done.
“While this progress is commendable, it calls for stronger strategies, partnerships, and renewed efforts to achieve even greater results,” she added.
Tracing the history of GIZ’s intervention, Vermuijten explained that the programme began implementation in 2017, was renewed in 2023, and will continue through 2028. Within that period, GIZ has supported MRCs, civil society organizations, social partners, and government agencies at both state and local levels across Abuja, Lagos, and Edo State.
“We are here in Enugu to extend that support — to assist returnees, guide intending migrants, and foster collaboration among government, civil society, and social partners. Building trust between these actors is vital to improving the quality of migration services, and GIZ’s role is to facilitate that cooperation,” she stated.
Mrs. Vermuijten also revealed that activities for the Enugu MRC will formally commence in 2026, building on the strong partnerships and innovative ideas developed by CSOnetMADE.
“Our success is not measured by the number of meetings we hold, but by how many people we are able to advise and empower for a better life,” she concluded.
On his part, Rev. Fr. Emeka Obiezu, Director and National Coordinator of CSOnetMADE, lauded GIZ-ZME for its consistent support, stressing that building the capacity of migration stakeholders remains critical to promoting safe migration across Nigeria.
Fr. Obiezu emphasized that establishing a functional Migration Resource Centre in the Southeast would serve as a regional hub for coordinating migration-related activities.
“A vibrant MRC in Enugu will provide a rallying point for migration coordination in the Southeast. The region still faces peculiar challenges relating to irregular migration, which continue to negatively impact communities,” he noted.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration between CSOnetMADE and GIZ would further empower civil society organizations to implement concrete actions addressing these challenges and to ensure that migration governance in the Southeast gains national visibility.
