The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged Nigerian border officials to uphold the human rights and dignity of migrants, stressing that migration management must be guided by fairness, empathy, and respect for human life.
This call was made in Abuja during a high-level briefing with border officials jointly organised by the NHRC and the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR). The session was convened to share findings from human rights monitoring missions recently conducted at the Seme border in Lagos State and Idiroko border in Ogun State.
The Executive Secretary of NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, stated that migration is a complex global issue that demands a human rights-based approach. According to him, every migrant—regardless of their nationality or immigration status—is entitled to the same level of protection under both international and Nigerian law.
“Migration is a complex and continuing reality of our time, shaped by multiple drivers ranging from economic aspirations and regional mobility to conflict, insecurity, and climate change. While the motivations differ, one principle remains constant: every migrant, irrespective of their status, is entitled to the full protection of their human rights under international and national law,” Ojukwu said.
He reaffirmed the commission’s statutory duty to monitor and investigate human rights conditions at border posts, in collaboration with partners such as the OHCHR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
“The NHRC has a clear responsibility to monitor, investigate, and report on the human rights situation across the country, including at border posts. Our aim is to ensure that Nigeria’s borders are managed in ways consistent with human dignity, international obligations, and the rule of law,” he added.
Ojukwu noted that many migrants face heightened vulnerabilities at border points where oversight is weak and safeguards are lacking. He said the recent NHRC assessment examined entry and exit procedures, referral mechanisms, and protection for vulnerable persons such as women and persons with disabilities.
He emphasised that the commission’s priority now is to move from identifying problems to implementing practical and time-bound reforms.
“This High-Level Briefing provides an opportunity to move beyond diagnosis into practical solutions. Our goal is to translate monitoring findings into tangible commitments, actionable steps, and follow-up mechanisms that ensure accountability and progress. In doing so, we affirm Nigeria’s commitment to human rights, rule of law, and dignity for all persons within our borders,” he explained.
Representing the Senior Human Rights Adviser at the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mrs. Esther Michael Sawa, reiterated the UN’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to improve border governance. She said the meeting formed part of the Promise Project, a joint initiative between the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), designed to help West African states adopt human rights-based responses to irregular migration and migrant smuggling.
“This programme aims to strengthen the capacities of West African states to develop a human rights-based response to the smuggling of migrants and to effectively combat violations related to irregular migration in the region,” she explained.
Sawa highlighted the human cost of migration, stressing that migrants often experience violence, discrimination, and exploitation. “As a migrant, you are vulnerable and exposed. Many face attacks and abuses with nowhere to turn for help. That is why empathy, protection, and accountability must guide all our actions,” she stated.
She also clarified that the engagement was not meant to apportion blame but to strengthen collaboration and identify practical solutions. “We are not here to castigate. There are so many good things happening at the borders, but there are also gaps we need to address together,” she noted.
Presenting findings from the NHRC-OHCHR border monitoring mission, Ms. Jennifer Aga reported that the assessment uncovered serious systemic and infrastructural challenges. These include the absence of standardised procedures for identifying victims of trafficking, weak referral mechanisms to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and poor living conditions at border holding centres.
The report revealed that many border facilities lacked electricity, sanitation, and gender-segregated spaces, while language barriers and the absence of trained interpreters complicated communication with non-English-speaking migrants.
It also identified over 130 unofficial border routes at Idiroko that are frequently exploited for smuggling and trafficking, noting that security agencies face severe resource constraints, including limited patrol vehicles and equipment.
The commission recommended that government and partners develop standardised victim identification tools, improve infrastructure, provide emergency response funds, deploy interpreters, and strengthen inter-agency coordination.
NHRC and OHCHR further called for addressing the root causes of irregular migration, such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, while ensuring accountability for human rights violations at border areas.
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