Nigeria is intensifying efforts to promote structured migration and evidence-based foreign policy, with the Federal Government moving to partner Yakubu Gowon University on research, training and diplomatic support.
The development was disclosed in a statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following a high-level meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the university’s management in Abuja.
At the centre of the engagement is Nigeria’s push to manage migration in a way that protects citizens while maximizing economic and diplomatic benefits.
“The Ministry supports managed migration that protects the interests of Nigerians while maximizing benefits for both countries of origin and destination,” Enikanolaiye said.
He explained that ongoing engagements with partner countries are focused on structured migration arrangements, a move seen as critical amid rising global mobility and labour shifts.
Beyond migration, the minister emphasized the role of academic institutions in strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy through data-driven research and strategic policy inputs.
“Foreign policy must be centered on the Nigerian people and must deliver tangible outcomes in prosperity, job creation, security, and overall well-being,” he said.
The proposed partnership will see Yakubu Gowon University contribute policy research, training programmes and institutional support to the Ministry, particularly through its Centre for Migration and Security Studies and Directorate of Foreign Studies and Languages.
The collaboration will also extend to regional integration efforts, with plans to establish ECOWAS Clubs in tertiary institutions to deepen awareness of West African cooperation frameworks among young Nigerians.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi said the university is prepared to support the initiative through academic exchanges, postgraduate training and engagement with the diplomatic community.
He added that the institution’s size and strategic location in Abuja position it as a natural partner for national policy development.
Both parties agreed to establish a joint working team to implement the areas of cooperation, including facilitating regular interaction between students and members of the diplomatic corps.
Analysts say the move signals a broader shift toward integrating academia into Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, particularly in areas such as migration, regional diplomacy and global competitiveness.
