Politics
THE Adolescent Health Information Project (AHIP), cautions Nigerian youths against irregular migration, insisting that there is no tree that grows money across the border.
The Chief Executive Officer of AHIP, Dr. Mairo Bello, made this known during a training for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on regional migration and governance held in Kano on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day training was organised by AHIP in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) under its ROOTS Project.
NAN also reports that the programme is designed to enlighten the participants on their roles in promoting safe migration pathways.
The chief executive officer said irregular migrants were often exposed to exploitation, detention, loss of income and other challenges because they lack legal status in destination countries.
“It’s imperative our youths to know that there is no tree that grows money across the border.
“The same work you do abroad can be done in your country. If you are serious about your business and invest locally, you can succeed and even employ other people,” she said.
Bello said Nigerian youths should obtain proper documentation and understand the laws of destination countries before travelling.
“Irregular migrants are often exposed to exploitation, detention, loss of income and other challenges because they lack legal status in destination countries.
“Migrants without proper documentation might not be able to move freely, secure decent employment, open bank accounts or conduct business legally.
“Irregular migrants might also find it difficult to demand their rights or recover unpaid salaries from employers for fear of arrest and detention,” she said.
According to her, people who migrate without correct documentation do not know where they are going or what they will meet there.
“If they are patient enough and have proper documentation, life will be easier for them when they go out of the country. But if they go irregularly without proper documentation, they stand to lose a lot,” she said.
Bello further explained that some youths sell family houses and other properties to finance irregular migration but return home empty-handed after being deported.
She urged youths to obtain relevant information on travel requirements, laws and acceptable conduct in destination countries before embarking on any journey.
The chief executive officer encouraged young people to consider investing in businesses locally, advising that resources used to finance irregular migration could instead be invested in productive ventures at home.
Also speaking, Halima Kasim, Programme Manager of the Resilience, Opportunities for Outreach, Trade and Sustainability (ROOTS) programme, said the initiative was using a multi-stakeholder approach to address irregular migration and promote economic empowerment.
She said the programme targeted civil society organisations, community-based organisations, youth and women groups, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, as well as media practitioners.
“Many young people fall victim to deceptive agents or embark on dangerous desert journeys without proper documentation, exposing themselves to detention, death and psychological trauma,” she said.
Kasim urged prospective migrants to understand the laws and travel requirements of their destination countries before embarking on any journey.
“The ROOTS programme also focuses on the reintegration of returnees and deportees by helping communities to receive them without discrimination,” she added.
Kasim called for sustained sensitisation of young people on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to utilise safe and legal migration pathways.
One of the CSOs, A’isha Suleiman, said: “If you must migrate, migrate lawfully and safely. You only have one life. Find the right way to travel, secure necessary documentation and learn what is legally allowed in your destination before you go.”
(NAN)
A.I
Sept. 30, 2026
Tags: A’isha Suleiman AHIP Dr. Mairo Bello Halima Kasim