Nigeria Champions Coordinated Migration Governance And Diaspora Partnership At UN Migration Forum In New York

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing safe, orderly, and regular migration, while strengthening diaspora engagement as a strategic pillar for national development.

The Minister made this known at the ongoing International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026) taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, where he is leading Nigeria’s delegation and preparing to deliver the country’s official statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

The high-level Nigerian delegation includes the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Population Commission, National Human Rights Commission, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Their participation reflects Nigeria’s whole-of-government approach towards migration governance and underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to coordinated institutional responses to migration, humanitarian affairs, and social protection challenges.

Serving as Co-Chair of Roundtable 3 on Diaspora Engagement, the Honourable Minister emphasized the growing need for countries to adopt more integrated and development-oriented migration systems capable of responding to contemporary realities.

He noted that migration governance must move beyond fragmented interventions and instead prioritize coordination, data-driven systems, and stronger partnerships capable of delivering measurable outcomes for citizens.

According to Dr. Doro, platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and diaspora-focused financial instruments are already being leveraged to promote investment, innovation, and skills transfer among Nigerians abroad.

He stressed that these initiatives reflect a broader strategic shift towards recognizing diaspora communities not merely as beneficiaries of protection systems, but as active partners in national growth and socio-economic transformation.

The Minister further stated that deliberations at the Forum have reinforced key priorities around expanding migrant access to healthcare and education, strengthening diaspora engagement, improving remittance systems and financial inclusion, advancing portability of social protection benefits, and promoting inclusion and human rights within migration systems.

He noted that such priorities strongly align with Nigeria’s ongoing reforms aimed at integrating migration governance with broader humanitarian and poverty reduction frameworks.

Drawing from ongoing conversations at the Forum and recent national policy engagements, Dr. Doro reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to ending fragmented humanitarian interventions and building a unified system that connects humanitarian support with measurable development outcomes.

He stressed that migration governance must ultimately contribute to economic inclusion, resilience, and long-term stability for vulnerable populations.

The Honourable Minister also called for stronger international cooperation and practical implementation mechanisms capable of translating policy commitments into tangible impact.

“This roundtable provides an opportunity to collectively strengthen preventive protection mechanisms, improve coordination, and identify scalable solutions that support a more proactive and inclusive migration system,” he stated during the engagement.

He further encouraged participating countries, development partners, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to share concrete experiences and innovative models capable of addressing emerging migration realities.

According to him, global migration governance must increasingly be built on collaboration, shared responsibility, and sustainable partnerships that protect migrants while unlocking development opportunities.

The Honourable Minister concluded by reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to continue championing migration systems that are safe, dignified, people-centred, and development-driven. He noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Just In

Nigeria remains committed to strengthening institutional coordination, deepening global partnerships, and ensuring that migration contributes meaningfully to national development and shared prosperity for all Nigerians.

The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026), which runs from May 5–8 at the United Nations Headquarters, serves as the principal intergovernmental platform for reviewing global progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The Forum brings together Heads of State, Ministers, development institutions, academia, civil society, and private sector actors to strengthen cooperation and advance migration-related commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Janet MCDickson Noah
Director, Press and Public Relations

Alleged $1.5m Fraud: Court Dismisses Preliminary Objections, Bail Application Of Intermediate Investment Holdings Boss, in Lagos

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, dismissed the preliminary objections and bail application filed by the boss of Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited, Ufoma Joseph Immanuel, over an alleged $1.5 million fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, arraigned Immanuel, alongside his company, Intermediate Investment Holdings Ltd., on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and forgery to the tune of $1.5m.

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Count one reads: “UFOMA JOSEPH IMMANUEL and INTERMEDIATE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS LIMITED between April 2022 and October 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced Adebisi Adebut of R28 Holdings Limited to deposit the total sum of S1, 500, 000.00 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars USD) as investment described as to wit: “Cash and or Capital Cost in Chappal Petroleum Development Company Limited; Business Development Cost in Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited: Capital and or Capital Call in Chappal Energies Mauritius Limited” on the understanding that R28 Holdings Limited will be; (a) reimbursed the investment amount (b) paid a Development Capital fee of $2 250,000.00. (Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars) (c) 22.4% worth of shares in Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited which representation you knew to be false.”

Count two reads: “UFOMA JOSEPH IMMANUEL, sometime between April 2022 and April 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, forged a document to wit: TERM SHEET and purporting same to have been executed by Sheriff Oluwo and Olaniran Osotuyi in order to facilitate your obtaining money by inducement from Adebisi Adebutu of R28 Holdings Limited.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

Following the defendant’s “not guilty” plea, prosecution counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and also prayed the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL, pending the conclusion of its investigation.

Sonoiki also narrated how the defence counsel, Oluseun Awonuga, SAN, had physically assaulted his colleague, Emenike Mgbemele, at the sitting on March 2, 2026.

According to him, “My lord, the learned silk, physically assaulted my colleague on the staircase on his way to serve the defendant the charge as directed by the court.

“There is a video to that effect and we intend to tender it before the court.”

Though Awonuga did not respond to the allegation made against him by the prosecution counsel, he informed the court of a preliminary objection and a written address dated January 5, 2026, while urging the court to discountenance the counter-affidavit of the prosecution.

The prosecution, in a 21-paragraph counter-affidavit dated February 9, 2026, had urged the court to dismiss the notice of preliminary objections.

According to Awonuga, the Federal High Court, in a ruling, had ordered the EFCC not to arrest the defendant.

“EFCC has flouted the order by arresting the defendant and I hereby urge your lordship to discountenance their counter- affidavit,” he said.

Responding, the prosecution counsel, Sonoiki, said that the ruling was part of the motion that had earlier been withdrawn by the defence and should not be before the court.

“ There is nowhere in the ruling that says the defendants cannot be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction. My lord, the ruling was delivered in a civil case; and according to the Supreme Court, a criminal case and civil case can go on at the same time”

Court

“We urge the court to dismiss the application and order accelerated hearing in this case,” Sonoiki had said.

After listening to both parties, Justice Dada had, consequently, adjourned the case till May 7, 2026 ( today) for ruling.

Ruling on the application , Justice Dada held that: “The preliminary objection is baseless and the entire application is lacking in merit; and it is hereby dismissed.”

Also, Justice Dada, in her ruling on the bail application of the defendant, held that “On the basis of considering the antecedent of the defendant for not honouring the invitation of the applicant after he was granted administrative bail, I agree with the complainant that he is a flight risk; therefore, bail is refused.”

Justice Dada adjourned the case till June 24, 26, 29 and 30, 2026 for the commencement of trial.

NAF Deepens Prosecutional Capacity Development As NAFIAM Commences Training At Bayelsa Permanent Site

The Nigerian Air Force Institute of Administrative Management (NAFIAM) has commenced full-scale training activities at its new permanent site in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, marking another significant milestone in the Nigerian Air Force’s drive toward enhanced professionalism and mission-oriented capacity development.

The development was formally heralded on 7 May 2026 with the inauguration of 267 pioneering students across a wide range of courses, including Young Officers Course 20/2026, Initial Personnel Administrative Management Course 33/2026, clerical, music, physical education, and information assistant courses.

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The relocation of the institute demonstrates the strategic vision of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, to reposition NAF training institutions for standardized training and improved operational effectiveness.

The new permanent site provides a more serene, spacious, and conducive environment designed to support intensive learning and professional development for personnel of the NAF, sister services, and allied forces. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, the Commandant of NAFIAM, Air Commodore Isaiah Taiwo, expressed profound appreciation to the CAS for the relocation of the institute to a facility better suited for effective training delivery. He noted that the new location would significantly enhance the institute’s capacity to deliver high-quality instruction in administration and related specialties critical to military effectiveness.

Air Commodore Taiwo also commended the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, Air Vice Marshal AG Kehinde, for his leadership and contributions toward the successful relocation and operational readiness of the institute.

NAF

The Commandant further stated that the objective of the various courses was to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to function effectively in capacities commensurate with their ranks and responsibilities.

He charged the students to remain disciplined, adaptive, and dedicated to achieving their learning objectives with zeal and professionalism.

Reaffirming the commitment of the NAF leadership under Air Marshal Aneke, he assured personnel that sustained investments in welfare, infrastructure, and training would continue to remain a priority toward enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery across the Nigerian Air Force.