Bode Akinbode
Oyo State Government has unveiled plan to crack down on human trafficking and irregular migration, reaffirming its commitment to repositioning the state and addressing these complex issues.
Speaking on Wednesday at a three-day capacity-building workshop for members of the Case Management Expert Team (CMET), under the Oyo State Reintegration Committee, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Migration and Homeland Security, Segun Adegoke, emphasised the need for a structured and sustainable response to migration-related challenges.
He noted that the initiative formed part of a comprehensive state strategy that went beyond enforcement to include prevention, protection and effective reintegration of returnees.
“This initiative reflects a broader, more coordinated approach by the state government to address the complexities of migration.“
“Our focus is not limited to enforcement; we are equally committed to prevention, protection and the proper reintegration of affected individuals,” Adegoke said.
The workshop, organised in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), aimed to equip frontline case handlers with practical expertise in ethical engagement, referral systems, reintegration support, safeguarding and data protection for returned migrants.
Adegoke further explained that the Oyo State Reintegration Committee, established in July 2025, serves as a coordinating platform for both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders involved in migration management.
“The committee ensures that returnees receive adequate support and are not left without assistance. It brings together key actors to deliver a coordinated and effective response to migration challenges,” he added.
Reaffirming the administration’s vision, he stressed the importance of promoting safe and lawful migration pathways, particularly among young people.
“Governor Makinde remains deeply committed to ensuring that our youths pursue safe, regular and orderly migration. We must actively discourage dangerous and illegal routes that expose them to exploitation and harm,” he said.
Also addressing participants, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the NCFRMI, Alex Oturu, described the establishment of the Reintegration Committee as a strategic move to strengthen institutional support for returnees.
He stated that the initiative is critical to improving protection mechanisms and delivering structured assistance to migrants returning home, thereby addressing the wider challenges of irregular migration and human trafficking.
Oturu highlighted the collaborative nature of the committee, noting that it comprises representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders working collectively to combat modern slavery and facilitate successful reintegration.
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