NHRC and UNODC Intensify Push for Human Rights-Based Migration Reform in Nigeria
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with key United Nations agencies, has significantly intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria's migration governance framework. This renewed focus centers on enforcing existing legal instruments and embedding human rights at the core of all migration policies and practices.
Keffi Training Shifts Migration Management Paradigm
This initiative formed the central thrust of discussions at a comprehensive two-day training held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, which commenced on Wednesday. The training specifically aims to shift migration management from a predominantly border-control approach to one firmly anchored on human dignity and rights-based principles.
Organized by the NHRC in partnership with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) under the PROMIS Project, the training seeks to enhance national and regional responses to migrant smuggling and human trafficking through a human rights-based and gender-sensitive approach.
UN Official Warns of Migration Pathway Dangers
In her opening remarks, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the Office of the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu, represented by Esther Michael Sawa, emphasized that migration must be understood beyond mere policy and security frameworks. She issued a stark warning that the lack of safe and regular migration pathways continues to expose migrants to serious risks, including exploitation, trafficking, discrimination, arbitrary detention, and limited access to essential services.
The Keffi training follows a March 25 meeting of the National Working Group on Human Rights and Migration (NWG-HRM) in Abuja, where stakeholders strongly emphasized the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, consistent representation, and sustained capacity building across all migration-related agencies.
Practical Outcomes and Accountability Focus
Kufuor-Owusu explained that the training is specifically designed to deliver practical outcomes, including strengthening coordination mechanisms, finalizing and operationalizing the Working Group's action plan, and equipping participants with tools to apply Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA) in migration governance.
"Our focus is on practical application, monitoring, reporting, complaints handling, and safe referral systems, while reinforcing accountability to protect vulnerable migrants," she stated emphatically.
NHRC Executive Secretary Calls for Rights Mainstreaming
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, Director of the vulnerable group department, Dahiru Bobbo underscored the urgency of mainstreaming human rights into Nigeria's migration policies and ensuring strict adherence to existing legal frameworks by all relevant agencies.
He described migration in Nigeria and across West Africa as being driven by a complex interplay of economic, social, political, environmental, and security factors, noting that migrants often face the harshest consequences of systemic gaps in protection and governance.
"Too often, migration is narrowly framed through security or economic perspectives, while the human rights dimension is neglected," Ojukwu declared. "It is imperative that every policy and practice reflects dignity, equality, and non-discrimination."
Commission's Mandate and Collaborative Role
He reiterated the Commission's mandate to protect all persons, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking, through comprehensive monitoring, thorough investigation, and rigorous enforcement of human rights standards.
According to his statement, the NHRC, as Chair and Secretariat of the NWG-HRM, plays a pivotal role in fostering inter-agency collaboration, promoting best practices, and ensuring Nigeria's compliance with international human rights obligations across all migration-related activities.
Technical Sessions and Participant Expectations
Participants are expected to deepen their understanding of HRBA principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and non-discrimination, while exploring practical strategies to strengthen protection systems and referral pathways for migrants throughout Nigeria.
The training also featured extensive technical sessions, including an overview of migration dynamics by Jenifer Agah Suoye as well as presentations by Esther Sawa of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. Barrister Hilary Ogbona, a human rights adviser with the commission, is scheduled to make a presentation on human rights-based approaches to migration, among other critical topics.
Optimism for Concrete Reforms
Stakeholders expressed significant optimism that this engagement would translate into concrete reforms, reduce rights violations against migrants, and enhance Nigeria's capacity to manage migration in a manner that is both effective and humane.
The session continues on April 9, with a specific focus on actionable outcomes and sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations working on migration issues throughout the country.
