The Federal government has urged for inter-ministerial cooperation to combat the issues of illegal migration and human trafficking.

Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, made this appeal during a courtesy visit to Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, at his office in Abuja.

Dr. Edu highlighted the urgency of this call, emphasizing the need to address the underlying causes of poverty and humanitarian crises, which she identified as insecurity, illegal migration, and human trafficking.

Furthermore, Edu assured the Interior Minister that the National Social Register would be expanded to encompass families and widows of ex-servicemen within the paramilitary organization. This expansion aims to provide support and assistance to a broader range of beneficiaries.

“The inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Services will also be captured to benefit from the skills acquisition programmes of my ministry.

“For us to achieve the desired result, we must ensure an effective and sustainable inter-ministerial collaboration,” she said. 

Edu noted that this collaborative effort would enable her ministry to gather the necessary intelligence for the efficient coordination and management of humanitarian crises. 

“We need intelligence from you. We just got the approval for officers from NAPTIP to be present at the different ports.

“We need you to know the importance of our collaboration with you on the border.

“We have to find ways to step up our intelligence in Nigeria. We have too many illegal borders,” she said.