Former Ekiti State Governor John Kayode Fayemi has called on African governments to rethink their migration and citizenship policies, arguing that the continent’s development depends on allowing people to move, work and pursue opportunities across national borders with dignity and legal protection.
Fayemi appealed while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Democratic Governance Institute, organised by the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) in collaboration with the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana. The event was held in Ilishan, Ogun State, Nigeria.
His address, titled “Moving Africa: Labour Mobility, Free Movement and the Democratic Governance of Belonging,” explored the relationship between migration, regional cooperation and democratic governance.
Fayemi argued that migration should not be treated solely as a security challenge. Instead, he said, the movement of people across African countries could support economic growth, strengthen regional cooperation and create opportunities for shared prosperity.
He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to expand trade and economic cooperation across the continent, saying restrictions on people’s movement raise questions about the practical meaning of African integration.
According to Fayemi, economic agreements and regional institutions alone cannot deliver full integration if Africans continue to face barriers when seeking employment, establishing businesses or pursuing other opportunities in neighbouring countries.
He called for greater attention to citizenship, belonging and labour mobility in the continent’s integration agenda. He also stressed that migrants should be recognised as potential contributors to economic development rather than viewed primarily through a security lens.
Drawing on experiences within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), Fayemi presented ten policy proposals intended to improve free movement, protect migrant workers and strengthen cooperation among African governments.
The proposals, as described in his address, focus on making migration governance more inclusive and ensuring that people moving between countries can access opportunities while retaining their dignity and fundamental rights.
Fayemi said effective migration policies require governments to work together, particularly as African countries pursue deeper economic integration. Cooperation, he argued, is necessary to ensure that cross-border movement supports development without leaving migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation or discrimination.
The former governor also urged policymakers, researchers and citizens to take part in discussions about the future of migration and democratic governance in Africa.
He maintained that the continent’s integration ambitions must extend beyond trade and political agreements to include the ability of Africans to move, work and establish livelihoods in other countries under fair and dignified conditions.
His call adds to wider discussions about how African governments can balance national immigration rules with regional commitments to free movement, workers’ protection and economic cooperation.