Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE

Education opens doors to opportunity, empowerment, and long‑term success — especially for migrants and refugees who face financial and social barriers. In 2026, a growing number of organisations, universities, and international agencies are offering scholarships and educational programs specifically designed to support displaced learners. These opportunities range from fully funded master’s degrees at world‑class universities to regional scholarships for vocational training and secondary education. One of the most notable opportunities is the UNIV’R Scholarship Program 2026, a fully funded initiative in partnership with UNHCR and Sciences Po University in Paris. This scholarship is reserved for refugees residing outside the European…

Migrant healthcare workers across Ireland are increasingly living in fear due to rising incidents of racist abuse, threats, and violence, according to a Mayo-based doctor who says the situation is taking a severe toll on their mental health, personal safety, and sense of belonging. Medical leaders warn that the growing climate of fear could seriously damage Ireland’s reputation as a welcoming country and undermine future recruitment into an already stretched health system. Dr Liqa Ur Rehman, founder of the Irish Society of International Doctors, said migrant doctors and nurses are experiencing deep anxiety, depression, and constant safety concerns. He described…

Ireland is preparing to introduce a major crackdown on what authorities describe as the abuse of English language schools as a “backdoor for immigration.” The move comes as the government plans to reduce the overall number of student visas issued for English language courses, amid growing concern that some institutions are being used mainly to secure work access rather than provide genuine education. The Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, said some English language schools currently operate as little more than a “tick-box exercise,” allowing individuals to meet visa requirements without receiving proper academic training. He said the government is…

Irregular migration to the Greek island of Crete has reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with official estimates showing that nearly 21,000 undocumented migrants arrived by sea by the end of the year. The sharp increase has placed heavy pressure on temporary accommodation facilities and local authorities, particularly in the cities of Heraklion and Chania. According to officials, irregular sea arrivals continued throughout December without any sign of slowing down. Giorgos Sfakianakis, president of the Union of Coast Guard Personnel of Eastern Crete, said the situation remains critical, especially during periods of good weather when boats arrive one after another. He…

Libya’s Interior Ministry has confirmed the deportation of a group of Nigerian migrants from Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, as part of the country’s ongoing national repatriation programme aimed at addressing irregular migration. In a brief statement, the ministry said the deportations were carried out after all required legal and administrative procedures had been completed. The operation forms part of Libya’s broader efforts to manage irregular migration and return undocumented migrants to their countries of origin. Officials noted that the repatriation programme is continuing and involves coordination between Libyan authorities and the relevant countries. The initiative is intended to reduce…

The UK government has announced new visa restrictions on people travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after authorities in the country failed to agree to measures that would allow the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders from Britain. The decision forms part of the government’s tougher approach to migration control and returns under recent asylum reforms. According to the Home Office, the DRC has not made the changes required under the UK’s tightened asylum and immigration rules announced in November. As a result, fast-track visa processing for people from the DRC will be suspended, and politicians…

Britain is now facing a migrant crisis on a scale similar to Italy’s, despite not being located on Africa’s doorstep, according to newly released figures from the EU border agency Frontex. The data has triggered strong political reactions in the UK, with opposition Conservatives accusing the Labour government of losing control of the country’s borders. Frontex figures show that more than 62,200 migrants attempted to cross the English Channel between January and November this year. This number is almost identical to the 63,200 migrants detected arriving in Italy from North Africa during the same period. Italy has long been considered…

Tamil Nadu Police have arrested four teenagers in connection with a violent attack on a migrant worker near Chennai, an incident that has sparked outrage after disturbing videos circulated widely on social media. The assault reportedly took place inside a suburban train travelling from Chennai to Thiruthani and later continued near a residential area, exposing serious concerns about migrant safety and youth violence in the state. According to police, the four boys, all aged 17, were seen in a viral video harassing and attacking the migrant worker inside the moving train. One of the accused later uploaded the video as…

Turkish gendarmerie forces have dismantled a large and well-organized migrant smuggling network following coordinated security operations carried out across 14 provinces in Türkiye over the past two weeks. The nationwide crackdown was announced on Sunday by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who described the operation as a major step in the country’s ongoing fight against irregular migration and human trafficking. According to Yerlikaya, a total of 156 suspected migrant smuggling organizers were detained during the operations. Out of this number, 112 suspects were formally arrested by the courts, while 44 others were released under judicial supervision as investigations continue. The arrests…

UNICEF has called on authorities in Italy to adopt more inclusive and child-focused policies to better support migrant and refugee children, following new findings that reveal serious gaps in access to guidance, mental health support, and protection from exploitation. The call was made during the second dialogue between young people with migrant backgrounds and local institutions, held earlier in December to mark International Migrants Day. The dialogue brought together migrant and refugee adolescents, young adults, and representatives of key Italian and European institutions to openly discuss the challenges faced by young people with foreign backgrounds. Ahead of the event, UNICEF…