Migration Profile on Nigeria - IOM Publications - International ...

The strategic approach used is designed to encourage Nigerian
professionals and experts abroad to come home on a short-term (three months
to one year), medium-term (two to three years) and long-term basis to help
revive the economy by providing advisory and technical services that will enable
the Government to carry out the necessary reforms to enhance growth, generate
employment and reduce poverty.
The intended outputs of the project include the development of: (a) a
pool of expatriate nationals with expertise in various sectors of the economy;
(b) a policy framework for national economic management as part of the reform
agenda; and (c) a strategic programme of action designed and implemented for
the various sectors of the economy affected by the reform.
The project is carried out under the UNDP direct execution modality and
implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Nigeria as the
direct beneficiary. The project is managed by UNDP on behalf of the Government
and other development partners. The Presidency of Nigeria is the designated
implementing agent responsible for setting project priorities and recommending
the allocation of project funds and ensuring that the project’s management
mechanism is on course. The first phase of the project was completed in May
2007 and the second phase is currently being implemented (August 2008 – July
2012). Guidelines for managing the trust fund were developed and agreed upon
by the National Planning Commission, the UK Department for International
Development (DFID) and UNDP.
The project has created an innovative vehicle for harnessing the
expertise of nationals in the Diaspora to play a catalytic role in policy reform
and performance at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s evolution. The three-way
partnership (DFID–UNDP–Nigerian Government) has enabled diverse partners
to support the return of the diaspora to strategic positions in a coordinated
manner.
In addition, the Government’s connection with the Nigerian diaspora
is expected to create and mobilize at least 0.5 million skilled information and
communication technology (ICT) professionals by 2020 for the establishment of
specialized ICT universities, software engineering and the development institutes
and ICT research centres. The connection would encourage the domestication of
transferred technology and the development of space technology, among others.
Also, the diaspora are expected to contribute to infrastructure development, the
development of the education sector, the mentoring and training of the youth,
and collaboration with local institutions in joint research.
82 <strong>Migration</strong> in Nigeria: A Country <strong>Profile</strong> 2009