The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Government on new migration reforms, stating they will foster dignity, economic growth, and a more predictable business environment.

The Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made this declaration during a stakeholders’ workshop in Kano focused on Expatriate Quota Reform, a new Visa Regime, and the Post-Amnesty Programme.

Reforms to Benefit Business and National Interest

Oyerinde commended the “visionary leadership” of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap, for driving what he described as ambitious and necessary reforms.

He emphasized that for the private sector, these initiatives are crucial as they:

• Provide clear legal parameters for employers to operate within.
• Protect enterprises from liability and enhance workforce integrity.
• Contribute to enterprise sustainability by aligning workforce planning with national frameworks.

“This ensures employers operate within clear legal parameters, protects enterprises from liability, and enhances workforce integrity,” Oyerinde stated.

Linking Migration to African Trade and Development

Oyerinde also highlighted the strategic importance of the reforms in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He noted that a well-managed migration system facilitates the unrestricted movement of skilled persons, goods, and services, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader.

“Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, must lead by example, demonstrating that lawful mobility and economic opportunity can coexist,” he said.

He described the Post-Amnesty Programme—which offers a path to regularize immigration status—as a “restorative” rather than punitive measure. This approach, he argued, strengthens national sovereignty, enhances security, and allows migrants to contribute productively to the formal economy through lawful work and tax payments.

NECA pledged its continued collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) through advocacy and capacity-building to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms.