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 to promote 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, August 20, 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, EAPEAN President/Chairman of Council, Amb. Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, PhD, described the visit as more than a courtesy call, saying it demonstrated the growing trust, partnership and shared commitment among the organisations.
Okegbue said EAPEAN was pleased to be recognised as a critical stakeholder in the international labour mobility ecosystem, adding that the recognition came with both honour and responsibility.
He explained that EAPEAN, which evolved from the Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN), represents licensed and compliant Private Employment Agencies in Nigeria and promotes professionalism, ethical recruitment, decent work, regulatory compliance and responsible business practices.
According to him, the association is expanding its focus to international recruitment and labour mobility, particularly to ensure that Nigerians seeking employment abroad are adequately prepared, properly matched with legitimate opportunities and protected from fraudulent recruitment and exploitation.
Focus on Labour Mobility Practitioner Accelerator
The EAPEAN president identified the 360° Labour Mobility Practitioner Accelerator as a key area of collaboration.
He said the initiative, which seeks to connect skilled young talents in Nigeria and Ghana with international labour markets, particularly Germany, was timely given the growing demand for skilled workers in destination countries.
He noted that the challenge was not only the availability of talent but also the need for reliable systems, professional knowledge, partnerships and trusted recruitment channels capable of connecting qualified workers with legitimate opportunities.
He said the programme would equip labour mobility practitioners with the knowledge and tools needed to provide credible advice, understand international recruitment pathways, navigate skills-recognition requirements, identify legitimate employment opportunities and protect prospective migrant workers from 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 highlights institutional reforms
Okegbue also outlined ongoing reforms within EAPEAN aimed at positioning the association as a stronger and more professional 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 international recruitment, labour migration governance, skills recognition, regulatory compliance, worker protection and emerging international labour market opportunities.
The president also stressed the importance of stronger partnerships with institutions including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), GIZ, Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) and other national and international stakeholders.
He said EAPEAN's vision was to ensure that Private Employment Agencies were regarded not 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 in Nigeria's private employment and labour mobility sector and expressed optimism about deepening the partnership.
Mr. Akinola Famson described the engagement as an opportunity to strengthen institutional cooperation and develop 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 need the right knowledge and tools to guide prospective migrants through legitimate recruitment and migration pathways.
Mr. Markus Pnejterafl stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration, saying sustainable labour mobility requires strong partnerships between countries of origin and destination, employers, recruiters and other stakeholders.
Mr. Konrad Adamoke Leonard, representing Afrikarat/AiDiA, expressed support for continued cooperation with EAPEAN, particularly in developing systems that enable skilled African youths to access credible international opportunities while protecting their rights and dignity.
Other members of the delegation, including Ms. Vivian Onzere, Mr. Abe Oluwafemi, Mr. Opoku Asiedu Kelvin and Ms. Adeyoju Omolara, also emphasised the importance of accurate information, professional training, knowledge exchange and stronger Nigeria-Ghana cooperation in advancing safe labour mobility.
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.
“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 ended 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 present 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.