NHRC and UN Agencies Champion Human Rights in Migration Governance
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in partnership with key United Nations bodies, has significantly ramped up initiatives to fortify Nigeria's migration governance framework. This collaborative effort renews a dedicated focus on enforcing existing legal instruments and embedding human rights principles at the very core of migration policies. These critical discussions formed the central theme of a comprehensive two-day training session held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, which commenced yesterday. The training aims to fundamentally shift migration management from a predominantly border-control-centric model to one firmly anchored on human dignity and rights-based approaches.
Training Aims to Combat Smuggling and Trafficking
Organized by the NHRC in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) under the PROMIS Project, the Keffi training seeks to enhance both national and regional responses to the grave issues of migrant smuggling and human trafficking. It adopts a human rights-based and gender-sensitive methodology to address these challenges effectively. In her opening remarks delivered via representative Esther Michael Sawa, Senior Human Rights Adviser Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu from the Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator emphasized that migration must be understood beyond mere policy and security frameworks.
She issued a stark warning, noting that the persistent lack of safe and regular migration pathways continues to expose migrants to severe risks. These dangers include exploitation, trafficking, discrimination, arbitrary detention, and severely limited access to essential services, underscoring the urgent need for reform.
Building on Previous Stakeholder Meetings
The Keffi training follows a pivotal meeting of the National Working Group on Human Rights and Migration (NWG-HRM) held in Abuja on March 25. During that gathering, stakeholders strongly emphasized the necessity for stronger inter-agency coordination, consistent representation, and sustained capacity-building efforts across relevant bodies. Kufuor-Owusu elaborated that the Keffi training was meticulously designed to yield practical, actionable outcomes. These include strengthening coordination mechanisms, finalizing and operationalizing the Working Group's comprehensive action plan, and equipping participants with essential tools to apply Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA) effectively within migration governance structures.
Urgent Call for Legal Adherence and Policy Integration
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of NHRC Executive Secretary Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, Director Dahiru Bobbo of the Vulnerable Group Department highlighted the critical urgency of mainstreaming human rights into Nigeria's migration policies. He stressed the imperative for all relevant agencies to ensure strict adherence to existing legal frameworks, reinforcing the commitment to a rights-based governance model that protects vulnerable populations and upholds international standards.
