EAPEAN, GAaNF e.V. and 360° Labour Mobility Alliance Strengthen Partnership on Safe and Ethical International Recruitment

By Our Reporter

The Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with Giving Africa a New Face (GAaNF e.V.) and the 360° Labour Mobility Alliance towards promoting safe, regular, ethical and skills-based labour mobility between Africa and international labour markets.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by representatives of GAaNF e.V., the 360° Labour Mobility Alliance and partner organisations to the EAPEAN Secretariat in Lagos on Thursday, 20 August 2026.

Welcoming the delegation, the President/Chairman of Council of EAPEAN, Amb. Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, PhD said the visit represented more than a courtesy call, describing it as a demonstration of the growing trust, partnership and shared commitment among the organisations.

He said EAPEAN was particularly pleased to be recognised as a critical stakeholder in the international labour mobility ecosystem, stressing that the Association considers the recognition both an honour and a responsibility.

Okegbue explained that EAPEAN, which evolved from the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN), represents licensed and compliant Private Employment Agencies operating in Nigeria and works to promote professionalism, fair and ethical recruitment, decent work, regulatory compliance and responsible business practices.

According to him, EAPEAN is increasingly expanding its focus to international recruitment and labour mobility, particularly in ensuring that Nigerians seeking employment abroad are adequately prepared, properly matched with legitimate opportunities and protected from exploitation, fraudulent recruitment and other abusive practices.

Focus on the 360° Labour Mobility Practitioner Accelerator

The EAPEAN President highlighted the 360° Labour Mobility Practitioner Accelerator as an important area of collaboration between the organisations.

He noted that the initiative, which seeks to bridge the gap between skilled young talents in Nigeria and Ghana and international labour markets, with a strong focus on Germany, is timely in view of the growing demand for skilled workers in several destination countries.

He stressed that the challenge was not merely the availability of talent but the creation of reliable systems, knowledge, competencies, partnerships and trusted recruitment channels capable of connecting the right talent with the right opportunities.

He said the programme would equip labour mobility practitioners with the knowledge and tools required to provide credible advice, understand international recruitment pathways, navigate qualification and skills-recognition requirements, identify legitimate employment opportunities and protect prospective migrant workers from recruitment scams and exploitation.

“Effective labour mobility requires a 360-degree approach, one that considers the interests of workers, employers, recruiters, governments and destination countries,” he said.

EAPEAN Reaffirms Institutional Reforms

Okegbue also outlined ongoing reforms within EAPEAN aimed at positioning the Association as a stronger, more professional and effective institution within Nigeria’s labour migration ecosystem.

He said the Association was strengthening its governance and administrative structures, professional standards, member engagement, capacity development, digital communication and policy advocacy.

He added that EAPEAN was expanding training opportunities for members in areas including international recruitment, labour migration governance, skills recognition, regulatory compliance, worker protection and emerging international labour market opportunities.

The President further emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships with institutions including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), GIZ, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), and other national and international stakeholders.

He said EAPEAN’s vision was to ensure that Private Employment Agencies are not viewed merely as intermediaries for filling vacancies but as professional labour market institutions and strategic partners in employment creation, skills development and safe international labour mobility.

Delegation Pledges Stronger Collaboration

The visiting delegation commended EAPEAN for its leadership within Nigeria’s private employment and labour mobility sector and expressed optimism about deepening the partnership between the organisations.

Mr. Akinola Famson described the engagement as an important opportunity to strengthen institutional cooperation and build practical mechanisms for connecting African talent with legitimate international employment opportunities.

Ms. Edith Otiende-Lawani emphasised the importance of professionalising the labour mobility ecosystem, noting that practitioners require the right knowledge and tools to guide prospective migrants through legitimate recruitment and migration pathways.

Mr. Markus Pnejterafl highlighted the importance of collaboration across countries and institutions, stressing that sustainable labour mobility requires strong partnerships between origin countries, destination countries, employers, recruiters and other stakeholders.

Mr. Konrad Adamoke Leonard, representing Afrikarat/AiDiA, expressed support for continued cooperation with EAPEAN, particularly in strengthening systems that enable skilled African young people to access credible international opportunities while safeguarding their rights and dignity.

Ms. Vivian Onzere commended EAPEAN for its commitment to capacity development and responsible recruitment, noting that informed and professionally trained labour mobility practitioners are essential to reducing misinformation and irregular migration pathways.

Mr. Abe Oluwafemi stressed the importance of ensuring that young Africans receive accurate information and proper guidance before pursuing international employment opportunities, while Mr. Opoku Asiedu Kelvin underscored the value of stronger Nigeria-Ghana cooperation in developing a more coordinated labour mobility framework.

Ms. Adeyoju Omolara also expressed confidence that the partnership would create opportunities for knowledge exchange, capacity building and stronger linkages between African talent and international labour markets.

The visitors collectively reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership with EAPEAN and exploring further areas of collaboration in training, international recruitment, skills recognition, labour mobility advisory services and youth employment.

EAPEAN: Partnership Key to Sustainable Labour Mobility

The EAPEAN President maintained that no single institution could address the challenges and opportunities of international labour mobility alone.

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, employers, Private Employment Agencies, training institutions, development partners and international organisations to ensure that prospective migrant workers have access to accurate information, credible career guidance, legitimate recruitment channels and transparent processes.

He said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that skilled Nigerians and Ghanaians do not have to depend on unreliable agents, misinformation or dangerous irregular routes to secure international employment.

“Our collective responsibility is to ensure that a young Nigerian or Ghanaian who has acquired valuable skills can access accurate information, credible career guidance, legitimate recruitment channels and opportunities that respect their rights and dignity,” he stated.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen institutional cooperation and build a more professional, transparent and sustainable labour mobility ecosystem that benefits workers, employers and countries of origin and destination.

EAPEAN Officials in Attendance

Those in attendance on behalf of EAPEAN included Amb. Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, President/Chairman of Council; Mr. Olajide Afolabi, Executive Secretary; Ms. Emmanuella Baki, Liaison and Brand Executive; and Ms. Omowumi Adeleke.

The visiting delegation comprised Mr. Akinola Famson, Ms. Edith Otiende-Lawani, Mr. Markus Pnejterafl, Mr. Konrad Adamoke Leonard of Afrikarat/AiDiA, Ms. Vivian Onzere, Mr. Abe Oluwafemi, Mr. Opoku Asiedu Kelvin and Ms. Adeyoju Omolara.