Germany partners with Nigeria against irregular migration

As part of measures to reduce the rate of irregular migration to Europe, Germany and Nigeria have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to increase economic opportunities in the West African country through commerce, agriculture, and automobiles.

The partnership was established during a visit by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Nigeria, during which it was revealed that Germany would also provide educational assistance that would increase the number of Nigerian students studying in Germany. 

Nigeria has become a major country of origin for irregular migrants seeking to reach Germany and other parts of Europe through via Mediterranean Sea.

Merkel described Nigeria as a strategically important economy in Africa and said that it was crucial to establish partnerships that will deliver homegrown opportunities and provide alternatives to irregular migration out of the country.

“In preparing for this visit, we engaged the spirit of a win-win situation. We were in agreement to create a win-win situation on both sides by creating legal means of migration as it is in other countries,” she said.

Adding that it is important that young people know about the dangers of irregular migration, Merkel also emphasised that many of the stories told about Germany are not true and that the streets are not paved with gold, as many think.

President Mohammadu Buhari expressed Nigeria’s stance on irregular migration saying, “I am against any of my countrymen and women who illegally find their way to other countries other than Nigeria, l hope you know that ECOWAS protocol includes free movements of persons and goods and services.”

“But for those going to Europe, this administration does not support that Nigerians should defy the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean because they feel there are greener pastures there. We do not support anything illegal and indiscipline. You must recall that about six weeks ago, we repatriated about 3,000 Nigerians who were stuck in Libya on their way to Europe and you must also have learned and seen on the television, the number of Nigerians lost in the Mediterranean,” he added.

“So, for us, this administration is very clear that we do not support anything illegal and anybody who feels that his country does not offer him what he should be offered and decides to defy the Mediterranean is doing so at his own risk,” Buhari said.

TMP – 12/09/2018

Photo Credit: www.thisdaylive.com. President Buhari in a handshake with German Chancellor Merkel at the Nigerian State House, Abuja