The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in collaboration with key United Nations agencies, has intensified efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s migration governance framework, with a renewed focus on enforcing existing legal instruments and embedding human rights at the core of migration policies.

This formed the thrust of discussions at a two-day training held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, which commenced on Wednesday, aimed at shifting migration management from a predominantly border-control approach to one anchored on human dignity and rights-based principles.

The training, organised by the NHRC in partnership with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) under the PROMIS Project, seeks to enhance national and regional responses to migrant smuggling and human trafficking through a human rights-based and gender-sensitive approach.

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, stressed that migration must be understood beyond policy and security frameworks.

She warned 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 emphasised the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, consistent representation, and sustained capacity building.

Kufuor-Owusu explained that the training is designed to deliver practical outcomes, including strengthening coordination mechanisms, finalising and operationalising 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 said.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, Director 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 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.

“Too often, migration is narrowly framed through security or economic perspectives, while the human rights dimension is neglected,” Ojukwu said. “It is imperative that every policy and practice reflects dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.”

He reiterated the Commission’s mandate to protect all persons, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking, through monitoring, investigation, and enforcement of human rights standards.

According to him, 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.

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.

The training also featured technical sessions, including an overview of migration dynamics by Jenifer Aga Suoyo as well as presentations by Esther Sawa of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, While Bar Hilary Ogbona a human right adviser with the commission is to make a presentation on human right-based approach to migration, among others.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the engagement would translate into concrete reforms, reduce rights violations, 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 focus on actionable outcomes and sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and civil society organisations.