RABAT Process: Nigeria Assumes Leadership, Federal Commissioner Aliyu Tijani Discusses Migration Concerns
By Yahaya Idris
The Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, referred to as the Rabat Process, is organizing a Senior Officials’ Meeting, scheduled for Porto, Portugal, on January 29-30, 2025, which will bring Portugal’s chairmanship, initiated in February 2024, to a close and officially transfer the chairmanship to Nigeria.
The Rabat Process, launched in 2006, promotes interregional collaboration among over 55 countries from Africa and Europe to address migration and development concerns, aiming to establish balanced solutions to migration challenges.
The Rabat Process, which comprises the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, facilitates cooperation among European and African nations from North, West, and Central Africa, in conjunction with the European Commission and the Economic Community of West African States, to address pressing migration concerns. This process establishes a framework for consultation and coordination, helps address migration-related challenges, and fosters opportunities for exchange and development.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, declared Nigeria’s preparedness to assume the Chairmanship of the RABAT Process during the ongoing Euro-African dialogue on migration and Development program in Porto, Portugal, stressing that the country has the requisite expertise to occupy the international leadership position.
He also mentioned that the country has successfully addressed issues such as migration, poverty, and youth restiveness.
The Federal Commissioner outlined key focus areas, including youth and innovation, facilitating regular migration pathways, improving migration data management, upholding the dignity and human rights of migrants and persons in need of protection, addressing climate-induced mobility, combating human trafficking, and reimagining reintegration, among others.
Both European and African nations declared their willingness to support Nigeria throughout its chairmanship. Likewise, Portugal and Spain pledged to co-chair and co-sponsor Nigeria’s proposals.
The Nigerian delegation includes the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, as well as numerous other esteemed delegates.
