Turning the Tide on Irregular Migration: How BANC Foundation’s Summit Echos The Call For Lasting Solutions to Africa’s JAPA Crisis
The hall buzzed with tension and solemnity as diplomats, scholars, government officials, and activists gathered at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja. On a mission to confront one of Africa’s gravest crises—irregular migration—the audience hung on every word at the Anti-Irregular Migration Summit (AiMS), organized by the Blacks Ancestral Native Communities (BANC) Foundation. Titled The JAPA Conundrum: Comprehensive Strategies for Addressing the Irregular Migration Crisis, the summit tackled the heart-wrenching reality that Africa’s youth are driven to flee in search of opportunities, often to their doom,” reports Christian Appolos.
The Yoruba term “JAPA” has now become synonymous with the migration wave, capturing the desire to escape harsh realities in search of better opportunities. At the summit, however, “JAPA” came to symbolize a continent-wide dilemma that demands urgent solutions—one that the BANC Foundation believes can only be addressed through courageous collaboration and determined commitment.
Opening the summit with conviction, Ambassador Sani Bako, chairman of the BANC Foundation, set the stage by naming what he believes is the core driver of Africa’s migration crisis: corruption. With a tone of gravity, Ambassador Bako described how “wanton, inordinate, and senseless corruption has permeated the African continent,” leading millions of young Africans to risk their lives and futures. Reflecting on the origins of this crisis, he traced it back to the early 1980s when African youth first began braving the deserts and seas to reach Europe, only to face tragedy or exploitation along the way.
“Young people risk their lives, only to arrive as victims of modern-day slavery,” he lamented, urging stakeholders to collaborate on a united front to curb the crisis. The seasoned diplomat was unflinching in his call for “embassies, governments, NGOs, and international organizations” to join forces with BANC. He passionately declared, “We are embarking on a journey to protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of migrants and promote humane solutions to this complex challenge.” The foundation, he shared, would prioritize “strengthening border control, improving asylum processes, promoting regular migration, and addressing root causes at the local level.”
Following the Ambassador, Dr. Chibuzor Onyema, President and CEO of BANC Foundation, thoughtfully dismantled the idea that migration in itself is harmful. “Migration is as old as human existence,” he explained, arguing that moving for a better life has historically been a path toward growth and opportunity. “Migration has driven economic growth, strengthened communities, and enriched the cultural fabric of nations,” he said, but noted a crucial distinction: migration must be conducted through legitimate channels to benefit both migrants and nations.
Opening the summit with conviction, Ambassador Sani Bako, Chairman of the BANC Foundation, set the stage by identifying what he believes is the core driver of Africa’s migration crisis: corruption. With a tone of gravity, Ambassador Bako described how “wanton, inordinate, and senseless corruption has permeated the African continent,” leading millions of young Africans to risk their lives and futures. Reflecting on the origins of this crisis, he traced it back to the early 1980s, when African youth first began braving the deserts and seas to reach Europe, only to face tragedy or exploitation along the way.
“Young people risk their lives, only to arrive as victims of modern-day slavery,” he lamented, urging stakeholders to collaborate in a united front to curb the crisis. The seasoned diplomat was unflinching in his call for “embassies, governments, NGOs, and international organizations” to join forces with BANC. He passionately declared, “We are embarking on a journey to protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of migrants and promote humane solutions to this complex challenge.” The foundation, he shared, would prioritize “strengthening border control, improving asylum processes, promoting regular migration, and addressing root causes at the local level.”
Following the Ambassador, Dr. Chibuzor Onyema, President and CEO of the BANC Foundation, in a thought-provoking address, dismantled the idea that migration itself is harmful. “Migration is as old as human existence,” he explained, arguing that moving in search of a better life has historically been a path toward growth and opportunity. “Migration has driven economic growth, strengthened communities, and enriched the cultural fabric of nations,” he said, but noted a crucial distinction: migration must occur through legitimate channels to benefit both migrants and nations.
According to Dr. Onyema, “Regular migration occurs within legal pathways, with valid documentation such as visas or work permits. Irregular migration happens outside these channels, often leading to dangerous journeys and exploitation.” The counseling psychologist painted a harrowing picture of the grim outcomes awaiting irregular migrants: “Those who undertake these journeys face exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery, and sometimes even death.” Bad leadership and endemic corruption, he argued, have robbed Africa’s youth of viable options and forced many to take perilous risks.
Dr. Onyema revealed a compelling solution: the STARCARE program, aimed at creating a sustainable pathway for African youth to thrive. Standing for Sensitization, Training, Advocacy, Rehabilitation, Campaigns, Advisory, Reintegration, and Empowerment, STARCARE reflects BANC’s values of Brotherhood, Advocacy, Networking, and Congruence. Among its central initiatives is the creation of the IMMSaRC (Irregular Migration Mitigation Skills and Resource Centre), an unconventional skills training hub focused on empowering African youth to pursue employment opportunities at home and abroad through legal and skilled channels. “The solutions lie in creating economic opportunities, increasing awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, and fostering cross-border collaboration to protect migrants,” he asserted.
Known for his unyielding stance on economic and social change, dissecting the economic and social implications of irregular migration, Dr. Anthony Chibo-Christopher, a strategic management consultant, took the stage with a fierce critique of Nigeria’s JAPA crisis. “A nation is as strong as its weakest link,” he said, and in Nigeria’s case, that link has been its failure to stem the tide of desperate youth who feel they have no future at home.
Dr. Chibo underscored the need for a shift in mindset, arguing that “those who think there’s no way to succeed at home are correct in their own minds.” He believes that addressing migration requires transforming how youth perceive success. “He who has power is truly he who has control of the thinking,” he said, pointing out that the perception that opportunity only exists abroad has its roots in Nigeria’s colonial past. “We were conditioned to believe everything good is foreign—from education to employment. It’s time we break that mindset.”
Dr. Chibo proposed four pillars to counter the JAPA phenomenon: 1. Mindset Shift – Encouraging young Nigerians to believe in their potential at home. 2. Entrepreneurial Support – Providing mentorship, resources, and funding for youth-led businesses.3. Technological Innovation – Harnessing technology to address local challenges and create jobs. 4. Education Reform – Shifting education to focus on practical skills, critical thinking, and high-growth industries like renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
These strategies, he noted, all center on skill-building. With the right skills, young Africans can succeed both at home and abroad. “It’s not about preventing migration; it’s about ensuring that when they migrate, they have the skills to enter legal employment and contribute positively to their destination countries.”
Also, a renowned anti-corruption activist Prof. PLO Lumumba’s voice boomed with urgency as he addressed the summit. “Africa has not fared significantly better sixty years after independence,” he lamented, recounting how JAPA has devastated nearly every African nation. From Sudan to Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Nigeria, young Africans flee in search of peace, stability, and opportunity.
“Africa, a continent of wealth, was once in celebration after kicking out the colonizers. But today, it has become a continent from which people are fleeing.” Prof. Lumumba accused African leaders of neglect, pointing to leaders who hold summit discussions on the topic but spend no more than ten minutes on actual solutions. He expressed his deep disappointment that leaders across Africa fail to address migration honestly and meaningfully.
Prof. Lumumba went on to listed three essential steps for change: Mindset Change – Developing a belief in Africa’s potential and teaching upcoming generations the same.
Sound Politics – Reforming politics to create economic stability, combat corruption, and create local opportunities. Policy Implementation – Implementing clear policies on migration, prioritizing intra-continental trade, and creating jobs across Africa.
Known for his Pan-African advocacy, Prof. Lumumba noted the African Union Protocol for Regulating Migration as an example of a document that could bring lasting change if genuinely supported by leaders. He urged Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation, to lead by example. “If Nigeria gets it right, Africa will get it right,” he said, stirring applause. He called on Nigeria to embrace its diversity and stop importing food, declaring that Africa could feed itself if it harnessed its agricultural resources.
Also speaking at the event, Ambassador Pieter Leenknegt of Belgium provided a European perspective on irregular migration, calling it a “shared responsibility.” Praising BANC’s initiative, he stressed Belgium’s commitment to fighting irregular migration. He also advocated for “circular migration,” where migrants can work abroad temporarily but return home to share their skills. Antwerp, he noted, has benefited from such arrangements, highlighting the need for policies that promote skill development and ethical migration pathways.
Representing Nigeria’s Federal Government, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Honourable Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, offered an inside look at Nigeria’s efforts to curb irregular migration. Speaking with conviction, he assured attendees of the government’s support for initiatives like those of the BANC Foundation, aimed at reducing the factors driving irregular migration.
Senator Bagudu highlighted several federal programs focused on providing youth with skills training and employment opportunities within Nigeria. He echoed the summit’s theme, emphasizing that Nigeria’s aim is not to prevent migration altogether but to stop the dangerous, irregular routes young Nigerians feel forced to take.
Calling for immediate action, Professor Hauwa Ibrahim, an esteemed human rights advocate and a former European Parliament Sakharov Prize laureate, made an impassioned plea for immediate action, focusing on the human cost of the crisis. She painted a poignant picture of lives lost, families shattered, and dreams dashed due to the desperation driving African youth toward treacherous migration routes. “Our young people are dying in the Mediterranean Sea, trafficked across borders, and subjected to the worst forms of exploitation,” she stated. She urged that discussions about irregular migration include the often-overlooked human rights dimension.
To Professor Ibrahim, the key lies in mobilizing support for marginalized communities and empowering young people through grassroots efforts. She commended the BANC Foundation’s STARCARE program and IMMSaRC center, noting that they represent exactly the kind of community-based initiatives needed to create viable alternatives to irregular migration. “Education, economic empowerment, and community engagement are fundamental to reversing this crisis,” she said, calling on the government, NGOs, and international organizations to support these interventions.
The summit also provided a platform for young African voices, allowing the audience to hear directly from those most impacted by the migration crisis. A youth representative, Adeola Ogunleye, shared her experience of narrowly avoiding a trafficking scheme. She expressed gratitude for BANC Foundation’s work and emphasized the need for programs that create real opportunities within Africa.
Ogunleye’s story struck a chord with attendees, underscoring the urgency of creating a safer, more hopeful Africa where young people can thrive without needing to leave. “Africa has everything,” she concluded, “but we need leaders who can help us see it.”
As the summit concluded, BANC Foundation’s founder and participants issued a collective call to action, emphasizing that the time for superficial solutions is over. The key takeaway was clear: addressing the JAPA crisis requires commitment from all sectors—governments, international organizations, and communities alike. Irregular migration may be an enduring challenge, but through advocacy, education, and strategic action, Africa has the power to turn the tide and empower its youth to see a future filled with hope at home.
The Anti-Irregular Migration Summit did more than highlight a crisis; it charted a path forward. With voices like Ambassador Bako, Dr. Onyema, Dr. Chibo and Prof. Lumumba leading the charge, the BANC Foundation is determined to create lasting change. Their solutions—ranging from skills development to mindset transformation—present a blueprint for addressing migration at its roots. By fostering hope and opportunity within Africa, they believe a new era can begin where the continent’s youth see not escape but growth and opportunity in their homeland.
