The Centre for Migration Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (CMS-NAU) was commissioned on the 28th of August, 2018 by the Honourable Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Sadiya Umar Farouq. The commissioning was one of the activities of the Sensitization Programme on the Dangers of Irregular Migration organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies of the University in collaboration with the NCFRMI and the Civil Society Organization Network for Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE).
Being the first of its kind in Nigeria established within a University with a comprehensive focus on the study and research of migration issues; internal displacement or forced migration, local and international migration, regular and irregular migration, brain drain, brain gain, brain circulation, remittances, return and reintegration, etc., CMS-NAU assumes a leading role in articulating and projecting the contribution of Nigerian universities, academics and researchers to the national migration discourse. The Centre is involved in collaborative engagements with relevant government agencies, local and international organizations, as well as in partnering with kindred Centres in Africa and the rest of the world.
Philosophy
The Centre operates on the following philosophic foundations:
- Fundamental rights of free movement and shelter founded on the absolute value of the human person;
- The rights of communities to protect their communal and cultural values;
- The duty of all to work for safe, orderly and regular migration.
It is our vision and desire to work together with all persons and organizations committed to addressing the issues of human migration from the fundamental position of the absolute value of the human person and from the comprehensive perspective of migration as a natural and global current that could and should be harnessed for the good of all humanity.
The Centre for Migration Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University will be greatly pleased to collaborate with your organization for comprehensive understanding of the multiple currents and dimensions of migration in order to encourage regular migration, discourage irregular migration, forestall the conditions that degenerate to forced migration and displacement of persons and generally harness the potentials that abound in human migration.