Experts Sound Alarm on Heightened Migration Risks for Vulnerable Groups
International law and human rights expert Dr. Obiola Ben-Okoro has issued a stark warning about the disproportionate dangers confronting women, children, and the elderly during migration. Speaking on Thursday, Ben-Okoro emphasized that these groups remain the most vulnerable along irregular migration routes, facing heightened risks due to structural inequalities, exposure to exploitation, and limited access to protection mechanisms.
Structural Inequalities and Exploitation Exacerbate Vulnerabilities
Ben-Okoro highlighted that in conflict and transit zones, women and minors are particularly susceptible to harm. Structural inequalities and a lack of robust protection frameworks significantly increase their exposure to abuse and danger. This alarming situation underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to safeguard these at-risk populations.
Echoing these concerns, human rights adviser Hilary Ogbona, in a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of the national working group on human rights and migration, stressed the especially tragic toll on children. Ogbona pointed out that children are often involuntary participants in migration decisions, making their plight particularly heart-wrenching.
"The death of a child in migration is particularly painful because they do not choose to embark on these journeys themselves," Ogbona said, underscoring the critical need for stronger safeguards and child-focused protection policies.
Call for Rights-Based Migration Frameworks
The experts jointly called for intensified efforts by governments and international agencies to adopt rights-based migration frameworks that prioritize the safety and dignity of vulnerable populations. Ogbona attributed the rising wave of migration among Nigerians to poor governance, urging the public to be less judgmental of those seeking opportunities abroad.
He warned that Nigeria risks falling behind as several North African countries make significant progress in human development. To address this, Ogbona advocated for greater private sector involvement in supporting migration governance initiatives and proposed monthly stakeholder engagements to review best practices and address gaps within the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other relevant agencies.
Proposed Reforms and Institutional Measures
Among other recommendations, Ogbona pushed for the establishment of dedicated human rights desks on migration, noting a growing institutional willingness to support such initiatives. He also called for assistance to the NIS to ensure a more dignified and efficient visa application process nationwide.
Central to ongoing reforms by the National Working Group on Human Rights and Migration (NWG-HRM) is a renewed focus on monitoring and reporting mechanisms aimed at improving transparency and accountability across migration corridors. Ogbona disclosed that plans are underway to introduce periodic monitoring of border posts, alongside the publication of biennial newsletters and an annual report on migration and human rights in Nigeria.
These measures are expected to generate consistent data and provide insights into migrant treatment and evolving migration trends. In a bid to strengthen human rights protection and enforcement, authorities are also working to integrate complaints related to migration-linked abuses into the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) system, streamlining redress processes and improving access to justice for victims.
Enhanced Coordination and Safeguards for Migrants
Ogbona revealed that the NWG-HRM is developing a standardized protocol for the referral of human rights complaints among participating agencies to enhance coordination and ensure timely handling of cases. To further safeguard migrants, stakeholders have proposed regular inspections and surveys of detention facilities at border posts and NIS offices, focusing on compliance with human rights standards and the welfare of detainees.
Stakeholders assert that these combined measures represent a significant step toward embedding a rights-based approach in Nigeria's migration management system, amid growing concerns over migrant vulnerabilities across the region. The initiatives aim to create a more humane and effective framework that protects the most vulnerable during their migratory journeys.
