By Jide OLATUYI
Flowerbudnews: Migration has become a critical aspect of Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, influencing its development, security dynamics, and international relations. Nigeria is an important destination, origin, and transit country for international migration.
Besides emigration (regular, irregular, refugees and asylum seekers), the country attracts many immigrants (mixed migrants) with diverse backgrounds, goals, and expectations who enter Nigeria to stay or transit to other destinations.
The Nigerian government has recognized the importance of effective migration management and has developed a comprehensive framework of policies, including the National Migration Policy, the 2015 Immigration Act, and the Labour Migration Policy.
Despite these efforts, challenges such as institutional weaknesses, corruption, resource constraints, and inadequate data management continue to impede effective policy implementation.
These challenges have significant implications for good governance, transparency, and the protection of migrants’ rights.
While the Nigerian government has established comprehensive migration policies, effective implementation remains a challenge. Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy and practice by advocating for migrants’ rights, providing essential services, and holding the government accountable.
However, the current environment in Nigeria presents several obstacles to the full participation of CSOs in migration governance.
These include restrictive operating environment of the migration governance structure, malicious ethnic civil societies’ profiling, nepotism and cronyism, limited funding, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Addressing these challenges is essential for enhancing the role of CSOs in migration policy implementation. Strengthening institutional frameworks, ensuring financial independence, promoting transparency, and fostering collaboration are key strategies to empower CSOs.
This analysis aims to critically examine the current state of migration policy implementation in Nigeria, identifying the key issues that hinder effective management and governance.
It further provides realistic strategies to address these challenges, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, combating corruption, enhancing resource allocation, improving data collection and management, promoting migrants’ rights and welfare, fostering regional and international cooperation, and addressing security concerns.
It also demonstrates how Nigeria can create a more enabling environment for civil society advocacy in migration management and governance. It shows how the genuine commitment to empowering CSOs will enhance the protection of migrants’ rights, improve policy implementation, and contribute to more effective, transparent, and accountable migration governance.
By enhancing the roles of CSOs, Nigeria can achieve more effective and transparent migration management. This will not only improve the protection and welfare of migrants but also contribute to overall good governance and socio-economic development.
This analysis explores these strategies in detail, highlighting the importance of a vibrant civil society in the successful implementation of migration policies in Nigeria.Current State of Migration Policy Implementation:
Policy Framework: Nigeria has developed several policies to manage migration, including the National Migration Policy (NMP), the 2015 Immigration Act, the 2014 Labour Migration Policy and 2021 Diaspora Policy.
These policies aim to address various aspects of migration, such as labor migration, irregular migration, and diaspora engagement.
Challenges: Institutional Weaknesses: There are gaps in coordination and capacity among the various agencies responsible for implementing migration policies.
These include the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).Corruption and Bureaucracy: Corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder effective policy implementation.
These issues affect the processing of visas, work permits, and the enforcement of migration laws.Resource Constraints: Limited financial and human resources impede the ability of agencies to carry out their mandates effectively.Data Deficiency: Inadequate data collection and management systems result in poor planning and policy formulation. Reliable data on migration flows, demographics, and labor market needs are essential for effective governance.Security Concerns: The securitization of migration, particularly in response to irregular migration and human trafficking, often prioritizes security over the rights and welfare of migrants.Strengths:Policy Framework: The existence of comprehensive policies indicates a strong foundation for managing migration.Regional and International Cooperation: Nigeria’s commitment to international frameworks, such as the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), reflects its willingness to align with global standards.Realistic Strategies for Enhanced Migration Management and Governance1. Strengthening Institutional Capacity:Training and Development: Invest in regular (collaborative) development-focused training programs for officials from key agencies such as the NIS, Ministry of Labour, and NCFRMI.
This training should focus on best practices in migration management, human rights, and customer service.Strengthen Inter-Agency Coordination: There is the need to sustain the strengthening of central (inter-agency) coordination body. Another way is to establish a migration task force to oversee the implementation of migration policies. This body should facilitate communication and cooperation among various government departments and agencies involved in migration management.2. Combating Corruption and Reducing Bureaucratic Hurdles / meddlesomeness:Transparent Processes: Implement transparent processes for visa and work permit applications, including the use of digital platforms to reduce face-to-face interactions and opportunities for corruption.Accountability Mechanisms: Establish strong accountability mechanisms to monitor and address corruption within migration-related agencies.
This could include independent oersight bodies and regular audits.3. Enhancing Resource Allocation:Budget Allocation: Advocate for increased budgetary allocations to migration-related agencies to ensure they have the necessary resources to fulfill their mandates.Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage partnerships with the private sector and international organizations to fund and support migration management initiatives.4. Improving Data Collection and Management:Integrated Data Systems: Develop integrated data management systems that allow for the collection, analysis, and sharing of migration-related data across different agencies. This should include data on migration flows, labor market needs, and migrant demographics.Research and Evaluation: Conduct regular research and evaluations to inform policy decisions and track the effectiveness of migration policies and programs.5. Promoting Migrants’ Rights and Welfare:Legal Framework: Ensure that national laws and policies align with international human rights standards to protect the rights of migrants. This includes providing legal aid and support services for migrants.Awareness Campaigns: Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate migrants about their rights and available services. This can help prevent exploitation and abuse.6. Fostering Regional and International Cooperation:Regional Integration: Strengthen cooperation with ECOWAS member states to enhance the implementation of the Free Movement Protocol.
This includes harmonizing visa regimes and border management practices.International Partnerships: Leverage partnerships with international organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations, to access technical assistance, funding, and best practices in migration management.7.
Addressing Security Concerns:Balanced Approach: Adopt a balanced approach that addresses security concerns without compromising the rights and welfare of migrants. This includes training security personnel on human rights and migration issues.Community Engagement: Engage local communities in border areas to support migration management efforts and enhance security. Community-based monitoring can provide valuable insights and early warnings about irregular migration activities.
8. Increased Civil Society equality and Visibility: Open the civil society space for equity and equal participation on critical issues of migration governance and aligning with constructive criticisms.Strategies to Open More Space for Civil Society Advocacy in Migration Management and Governance in Nigeria1. Policy and Governance Reforms:Amend Restrictive migration governance structure: Review and amend the restrictive migration governance structure, that conspicuously excludes the NGO and CSO pillar, which limit the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs). Ensure that addressing these exclusions comply with international human rights standards.Simplify and liberalize civil society participation processes: Streamline the politics of selective favoritism and consideration processes for CSOs to make it easier for them to focus more on the immediate needs and concerns of migrants and operate without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles or government actors’ influence.2. Strengthening Institutional Frameworks:Inclusive Policy Development: Establish formal mechanisms that include CSOs in the development, implementation, and evaluation of migration policies. This can be achieved by creating advisory councils or working groups that have CSO representatives. Such inclusivity ensures that policies reflect diverse perspectives and address real-world challenges.Regular Consultations: Institutionalize regular consultations between government agencies and CSOs to discuss migration issues, share insights, and collaborate on solutions. Regular dialogue fosters mutual understanding and cooperation.3. Ensuring Financial Independence:Diversified Funding Sources: Encourage a diverse range of funding sources for CSOs, including international donors, private sector contributions, and community-based funding, to reduce dependence on government funding.Grant Programs: Grant Programs: Develop grant programs specifically aimed at supporting CSOs working on migration issues. Ensuring transparent and fair allocation of funds will help build trust and encourage innovation in addressing migration challenges.4. Enhancing Capacity Building:Training and Workshops: Provide capacity-building opportunities for CSOs to enhance their skills in advocacy, policy analysis, and project management. Training workshops, seminars, and exchange programs can equip CSOs with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively advocate for migrants’ rights.Technical Assistance: Offer technical assistance to CSOs to help them develop robust organizational structures, financial management systems, and effective communication strategies. Strengthening the institutional capacity of CSOs will enable them to operate more efficiently and effectively.5. Promoting Transparency and Accountability:Transparent Government Processes: Increase transparency in government processes related to migration management. This includes making data, policy decisions, and implementation plans publicly accessible.Public Accountability Mechanisms: Establish public accountability mechanisms where CSOs can monitor and report on government activities related to migration. This could involve creating independent oversight bodies or utilizing digital platforms for public feedback.6. Fostering Collaboration and Partnerships:Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage partnerships between the government, private sector, and CSOs to collaboratively address migration challenges. Public-private partnerships can leverage resources and expertise from different sectors to find innovative solutions.Joint Initiatives: Promote joint initiatives and projects between CSOs and government agencies to address specific migration issues. Ensuring shared ownership and collaborative problem-solving will enhance the effectiveness of migration management efforts.7. Advocating for Human Rights and Social Inclusion:Human Rights Training: Conduct human rights training for both government officials and CSO members to ensure a shared understanding and commitment to protecting migrants’ rights. Training sessions can raise awareness and promote a culture of respect for human rights.Community Outreach: Enhance community outreach and education programs to raise awareness about migrants’ rights and the role of CSOs in advocating for these rights. Effective outreach can mobilize community support and foster social inclusion.8. Leveraging Technology and Media:Digital Advocacy: Utilize digital platforms and social media to amplify the voices of CSOs and raise awareness about migration issues. This can also facilitate greater engagement with the public and policymakers.Media Collaboration: Partner with media organizations to highlight the work of CSOs and the challenges faced by migrants, fostering a more informed and engaged public discourse.9. International Support and Solidarity:International Networks: Connect Nigerian CSOs with international networks and coalitions working on migration issues. Sharing best practices, receiving support, and amplifying advocacy efforts on a global stage can enhance the impact of local CSOs.Advocacy for International Pressure: Encourage international bodies and foreign governments to apply pressure on the Nigerian government to respect and expand the operational space for CSOs. International advocacy can support local efforts to open more space for civil society.By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can create a more enabling environment for civil society advocacy in migration management and governance. This will not only enhance the protection of migrants’ rights but also contribute to more effective, transparent, and accountable migration policies and practices.ConclusionEnhancing migration management and governance in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that addresses institutional weaknesses, combats corruption, improves resource allocation, and promotes the rights and welfare of migrants. By implementing these realistic strategies, Nigeria can create a more effective and transparent migration system that aligns with both national interests and international standards. Collaboration among government agencies, civil society, the private sector, and international partners is crucial for achieving these goals and ensuring that migration contributes positively to Nigeria’s development.Jide OLATUYI is a Senior International Development Policy Specialist and a Migration Governance Expert
