An international law and human rights expert, Dr. Obiola Ben-Okoro, has raised alarm over the disproportionate dangers faced by women, children, and the elderly in migration, warning that they remain the most vulnerable along irregular routes.
Speaking today, Ben-Okoro noted that structural inequalities, exposure to exploitation, and limited access to protection mechanisms significantly heighten risks for women and minors, particularly in conflict and transit zones, reports The Guardian.
Echoing similar 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 that the toll on children is especially tragic, as they are often involuntary participants in migration decisions.
“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 urgent need for stronger safeguards and child-focused protection policies.
The experts called for intensified efforts by governments and international agencies to adopt rights-based migration frameworks that prioritise 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.
He also called 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.
Among other recommendations, Ogbona advocated the establishment of dedicated human rights desks on migration, noting growing institutional willingness to support such initiatives.
He further 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.
He 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, Ogbona said 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.
He said the NWG-HRM is developing a standardised 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 say 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.
