Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
Combined initial and second periodic reports submitted by Nigeria under article 73 of the Convention pursuant to the simplified reporting procedure, due in 2018 * , **
[Date received: 18 October 2022]
I.Replies to the list of issues prior to reporting (CMW/C/NGA/QPR/1-2)
Reply to paragraph 1 (a) of the list of issues
The domestic legal framework regarding the Convention includes:
The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (attached as Annex I);
The Labour Act CAP L1, 2004 LFN (attached as Annex II);
Employee Compensation Act, 2010 (attached as Annex III);
National Health Insurance Scheme Act 1999 (attached as Annex IV);
Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement Act, 2015 (attached as Annex V);
Nigeria Immigration Act 2015 (attached as Annex VI);
Nigeria Immigration Regulation 2017 (attached as Annex VII);
Nigeria Immigration Service National Border Management Strategy 2019-2023 (attached as Annex VIII);
National Directorate of Employment Act 1986 (attached as Annex IX);
Factories Act, 2004 (attached as Annex X);
Child’s Rights Act 2003 (attached as Annex XI);
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, 1989 (attached as Annex XII);
National Human Rights Commission Act 2010 (as amended) (attached as Annex XIII);
The National Migration Policy, 2015 (attached as Annex XIV);
The National Policy on Labour Migration, 2014 (attached as Annex XV);
The National Gender policy (attached as Annex XVI);
National Employment Policy 2017 (attached as Annex XVII); and
National Policy on Education (attached as Annex XVIII).
Reply to paragraph 1 (b) of the list of issues
The Labour Act is not discriminatory in nature; it provides for the protection of all workers both nationals and non-nationals alike. That notwithstanding, the Labour Act is currently undergoing review to accommodate key issues and the provision of the Convention; and the Nigeria Immigration Act does not discriminate, it provides for the protection of workers both Nigerian nationals and non-nationals.
Reply to paragraph 1 (c) of the list of issues
The International Labour Migration Division (ILMD) has not concluded any BLAs with the listed countries. The provision of the Protocol relating to Free Movement of Persons, Rights and Residence is been effectively implemented.
Measures taken to protect Nigerian workers abroad are:
Nigerian Government developed the National policy on Labour Migration (NPLM) 2014 as a framework for the effective management of Labour Migration;
The government has developed draft BLAs on the Employment of Nigerian workers and shared with some Arab States- Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and is currently waiting response to commence negotiation;
Established Migrant Resource Centers to provide free information to potential and intending Migrants and through the ILMD, the Ministry has developed a Standardized Pre-Departure and Post-arrival Training Manual to ensure Pre-Departure seminars meet international standards;
The Government of Nigeria also conducts Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars for the ready-to-go migrant workers.
Reply to paragraph 2 of the list of issues
National Employment Policy: the government of Nigeria developed the 2017 National Employment Policy to promote inclusiveness and productive employment in Nigeria. The policy provides six (6) goals for implementation viz:
(a)The Provision of functional Education and Skills Training System;
(b)Improve the capacity of business in the private sector to drive the economy and lead in employment generation in Nigeria;
(c)Transformation of Agriculture through value chains in the agro-processing sector;
(d)Capacity Building for Mining, Mineral processing, Entertainment and Creative Arts Industries;
(e)Create decent jobs and protect the natural environment and create opportunities for employment, apprenticeship; and
(f)Skill acquisition for youths.
National Policy on Labour Migration (NPLM): the NPLM 2014 is a Sectoral policy which keys into the National Migration Policy. The policy sets up a coordination mechanism involving relevant stakeholders i.e. the Technical Working Group (TWC) and the Social Partner Advisory Committee to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the policy. The NPLM articulates three goals they are- Governance of the Labour Migration process; Protection of migrant workers and their families and Linking Migration to development.
National Migration Policy 2015: the National Migration Policy of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) establishes four levels of Migration governance structure that includes state and Non-State Actors.
Nigeria Immigration Service National Border Management Strategy 2019-2023 has positively contributed to the promotion of migrants’ human rights and the protection of vulnerable migrants through clear and accountable procedures that are enacted in close collaboration with all appropriate agencies and supported by assignment of adequate resources.
Reply to paragraph 3 of the list of issues
The National Migration Policy of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) is the government Agency responsible for migration Management in Nigeria. The National Migration Policy (NMP) 2015 provides the migration governance structure which has four (4) levels of coordination and five (5) Thematic Groups with their leads consisting of five sectoral groups i.e. Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters; Labour Migration Working Group; Migration Data Management Working Group; Forced Migration and Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, and Stakeholder Forum on Border Management.
The National Policy on Labour Migration (NPLM) 2014 is a sectoral policy that keys into the main National Migration Policy. It sets up a coordination mechanism involving relevant stakeholders i.e. the Technical Working Group (TWC) and the Social Partner Advisory Committee (SPAC) to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the policy:
Human resources: the available human resources are staff of ILMD and stakeholders who are members of TWC;
Technical resources: ILMD staff and stakeholders who have been variously trained in the effective labour migration management in Nigeria and international partners;
Financial Resources: the implementation is funded through Ministries recurrent budget allocations and support from Development partners’ e.g. ILO, IOM, Swiss Development Corporation and GIZ.
The Nigeria Immigration Act of 2015 gave NIS the right to monitor migrant workers through the monthly quota returns on migrant workers.
Reply to paragraph 4 of the list of issues
The government of Nigeria in collaboration with IOM is developing National Migration Web Portal through the migration data management working group (MDMWG) where all migration information will be uploaded and available to end users. The data of migrant workers registered as at 2019 to 2021 is attached as Annex XIX.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment through ILMD is currently developing a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) where statistical data will be uploaded to key into the main migration website.
A breakdown of the migrants’ resident in Nigeria by nationality from 2019 to 2021 is attached as appendix 1.
Reply to paragraph 5 of the list of issues
The National Human Rights Commission is the primary agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria responsible for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights of Nigerian citizens and non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria. It is an extra-judicial body with a broad mandate to protect and enforce human rights in Nigeria as recognized and enshrined in the 1999 CFRN, as amended, other existing legislation as well as regional and international human rights instruments ratified by Nigeria.
According S. 5(a) of its enabling Act, the National Human Rights Commission “Deals with all matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Culture Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other regional and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a party.”
Steps taken by Nigeria government to strengthen NHRC to ensure compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) was an amendment of the National Human Rights Commission Act in 2010 to bring it in line with the provisions of the Paris principles.
The Commission has two documents regulating its complaints treatment mechanism/procedure, they are the National Human Rights Commission Act, 1995 as amended in 2010 (THE ACT) and The Standing Order and Rules of Procedure (STORP or The Rules).
The STORP was produced pursuant to Sections 2(6), 6(1) (a) & (g) and 23 of the ACT by the 4th Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission and adopted during its 3rd statutory meeting on 12th June 2013. The STORP is the Commission’s effective operational guideline.
The Commission handles complaint through its four Investigation Departments namely: Civil and Political Rights, Economic and Social Cultural Rights, Women and Children and Vulnerable Groups which covers all thematic areas of human rights including rights of migrants. In addition to these there is also the Call Center Unit and the Information and Communication Technology Unit.
The National Human Rights Commission has offices in the 36 states of the federation for visibility and accessibility thus making it convenient for complainants to walk into any of the offices to lodge complaints.
The complaints are orally received through its 24hours toll free line 08006472428, electronically via email address info@nhrc.gov.ng and nhrcanigeria@gmail.com , personally delivered at any of its 36 offices spread across Nigeria including the headquarters in Abuja or surface mail.
Complaint may be lodged by complainant in person or by another person acting for and on “behalf, instructions, request or best interest” of the complainant.
For complainants who, for some reason, cannot write by themselves, their complaint may be reduced to writing by a Commission staff receiving it or any person duly authorized by the complainant in that regard.
The Commission may Suo moto take up a complaint for the good of the public or the victim, especially vulnerable persons.
Complaints received by the Commission may be treated through: Preliminary Investigation, Full Scale Investigation, Mediation/Conciliation, Inquiries, Oral Hearing and Referrals.
Migrants, including migrant workers and members of their families use the above stated means to lodge their complaints in the Commission. The complaints received form migrants are mostly on alleged discrimination, non-payment of salary, unlawful termination of appointment, inhuman and degrading treatment by private /multinational employees, non-payment of benefits and inhuman condition of work environments, the Commission also receives complaints against airlines on loss of luggage and cancellation of flights without compensation.
NHRC periodic prison visits
The Commission do carry out yearly visits of detention facilities and in doing so the Commission evaluates these centres for the interest of determining complaisance to human standards across the federation targeted all persons in detention including detained migrants and other vulnerable groups /persons of concerns.
The Commission periodically visits the immigration detention canters in Nigeria for the determination of compliance with human rights standards.
In collaboration with UNHCR in an on-going project on Detention of IDPs and Returnees in the North East the Commission conducts visits to detention canters in the North East specifically targeted at IDPs and returnees (who enter Nigeria through the land borders) from the neighbouring countries which includes Nigerian migrant workers from neighbouring countries.
Part of the Commission’s efforts in ensuring that the rights of migrant workers and migrants in general are respected and protected is through training of immigration officers and other operatives on mainstreaming human rights into their duties.
NHRC’s human, technical and financial resources available to the Commission and awareness raising activities undertaken amongst the general public and migrants workers in particular on services are offered by the Commission, including the right to file complaint directly with the Commission.
The Commission has had a progressive increase in budget allocation for the over the past four years which has contributed to the improved ability of the Commission to create awareness which is reflected in the level of awareness nationwide.
Reply to paragraph 6 of the list of issues
The Human rights Education and Promotion Department of the Commission which is primarily responsible for creating general awareness on human rights issues throughout the country performs the following functions:
(a)Create public awareness and sensitise the general public on human rights issues through face-to-face interactions (villages, IDP camps, religious centers, focused groups meeting, educational institutions);
(b)Hold television, radio programs on human rights, create IEC materials and erect of bill boards on human rights;
(c)Coordinating human rights activities in basic educational activities example curriculum review, establishment of human rights education clubs in schools, training of teachers and educators on human rights of all persons.
The Act of the National Human Rights Commission enables the Commission to liaise with international, regional and national organisations on human rights issues, based on the forgoing the Commission in collaboration with international, regional organisations, Civil Societies and other stakeholders carry out sensitisations and awareness creation activities through road walks, talk shows, radio and television programmes on human rights of migrant workers.
As a member of the Technical Working Group on Migration Governance in Nigeria, the Commission has been involved in the development and review of policies and other instruments on migration ensuring that human rights issues associated with migration are taken into consideration.
The Commission is also in the process of establishing a working group on Human Rights and Migration, part of the objective of this group is to focus on human rights issues as they affect migrants including migrant workers and family members.
Finally, the Human Rights Commission ensures the respect and protection of the human rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Regional/International human rights instruments to which Nigeria is party to including those stipulated in the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Reply to paragraph 7 of the list of issues
Some of the measures taken to implement systematic and regular training programs include:
(a)Training of staff under the 10th EDF for promoting better management of Migration in Nigeria, EU-IOM Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in Nigeria;
(b)Individuals Measure for the EU-IOM joint initiative in Sub Saharan Africa, the Fairway program currently implemented by the ILO;
(c)Through the above-mentioned programs, systematic and regular trainings on protection of migrant workers are being carried out;
(d)The Ministry has reviewed and validated the National Policy on Labour Migration to include the gender issues and access to justice that were not available in the 2014 Policy;
(e)Development of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) amongst the relevant stakeholders who are confronting migration related issues;
(f)Through the NIS Personnel Training Resource Center (PTRC), the Service is constantly engaging at capacity building on rights of migrants’ workers and members of their families and sensitization on dangers of irregular migration through unauthorized point of entry.
Reply to paragraph 8 of the list of issues
ILMD coordinates quarterly meetings of TWC as a platform for interaction between the state parties, international organizations, civil society organizations and the tripartite.
Reply to paragraph 9 of the list of issues
The Trafficking in Persons (Control of Activities of Organizations and Centers) Regulations 2019 was made to ensure that the activities of travel agents, tour operators, labour recruiters and labour employment companies are conducted within the confines of the law thereby curtailing labour exploitation.
Reply to paragraph 9 (a) of the list of issues
Establishment of Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs) to provide information for potential and intending migrants.
Developed Information Education Communication (IEC) materials for sharing information on the ills of irregular migration.
Recently developed Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Training manual to build capacity of Trainers who carry out Pre-departure seminars for ready to go migrants.
Reply to paragraph 9 (b) of the list of issues
Government also developed a code of conduct for Private Employment Agencies (PEAs) to guide their operations.
Government conduct Quarterly workshop to sensitize PEAs on the provisions of the labour laws relating to their activities and for information sharing.
Also, although, Nigeria is yet to signed BLA with any labour receiving countries. The roles and responsibilities of the recruitment agencies (origin) is defined under the BLA and model contract.
Reply to paragraph 9 (c) of the list of issues
This is one of the requirements for licensing PEAs in Nigeria.
Reply to paragraph 9 (d) of the list of issues
The Ministry of labour and Employment is responsible for the issuance and renewal of Recruitment licenses in Nigeria.
Reply to paragraph 9 (e) of the list of issues
They are blacklisted for carrying out further recruitment services in Nigeria.
Reply to paragraph 9 (f) of the list of issues
The Ministry conduct annual workshop in collaboration with Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HUCAPAN) to strengthen and regulate the activities of PEAs.
Reply to paragraph 9 (g) of the list of issues
The ratification process is ongoing. However, the Convention 181 is awaiting Federal Executive Council (FEC) response.
Reply to paragraph 10 (a) of the list of issues
The Ministry of Labour and Employment provides administrative mechanisms through Mediation and Conciliation.
While Judicial Mechanisms includes Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
Reply to paragraph 10 (c) of the list of issues
All migrant workers and members of their families have the right to legal representation of their choice. If they cannot afford such, the Government provides free legal services through agency like the Legal Aid Council and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) i.e. Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA).
Reply to paragraph 10 (d) of the list of issues
Non-applicable.
Reply to paragraph 10 (e) of the list of issues
One of the measures taken by ILMD to inform migrant workers and members of their families is the established Migrant Resource Centers to provide free information to potential and intending Migrants.
NIS does not discriminate against migrant workers and their families, when complains are given is well attended to through the Service SERVICOM.
Reply to paragraph 11 (a) of the list of issues
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) does not discriminate between national and non-national in accessing free vaccine and other healthcare services.
Reply to paragraph 11 (b) of the list of issues
Same as (a) above.
Reply to paragraph 11 (c) of the list of issues
The Ministry of Labour and employment conducts inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with sanitary provisions.
Reply to paragraph 11 (d) of the list of issues
Measures are put in place by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) to prevent infections in detention centers are:
Establishment of health care facilities in all correctional centers;
Regular sensitization of officers and inmate.
Reply to paragraph 11 (e) of the list of issues
NIS does not discriminate between national and non-national in accessing free vaccine and other healthcare services.
Reply to paragraph 12 of the list of issues
The legislation is non-discriminatory in nature.
Migrant workers and their families are not discriminated in anyway by the legislations governing the NIS.
Reply to paragraph 13 of the list of issues
No data on domestic servitude, forced labour and sexual exploitation involving migrant workers in the context of travel and tourism because Nigeria has not signed BLA with any destination countries.
The NIS has not recorded any case of exploitation of migrant workers and their families.
Reply to paragraph 14 of the list of issues
The Legislative measures envisaged by Ministry of Labour to protect children against the worst forms of labour include:
(a)Launch of National Policy on the Elimination of Child Labour and its National Action Plan 2021;
(b)Development of a Child Labour/Forced Labour Monitoring and Remediation System (CLMRS) in supply chains 2021;
(c)The adoption of the “Durban Call to Action” to deal with the scourge of Child Labour;
(d)Alliance 8.7 introduced in 2018 targeted for the elimination of the worst forms of Child Labour.
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has not recorded any case of exploitation of migrant workers and their family members.
Reply to paragraph 15 of the list of issues
Reported cases of trafficking: 10,273
Convicted persons: 530
Male: 319
Female: 211
Victims of human trafficking: 18,535
Male: 4,859
Female: 13,676
Reply to paragraph 16 of the list of issues
NIS provides legal assistant to migrants’ workers and members of their families through legal aid system.
Reply to paragraph 17 of the list of issues
The NIS has not recorded any case of terrorist attack on migrant workers and members of their families.
Reply to paragraph 18 of the list of issues
NIS in collaboration with relevant stakeholders keeps update and comprehensive data of all foreigners residing in Nigeria:
(a)Ensure that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders keeps updated and comprehensive data on all foreigners living in Nigeria;
(b)Promote the formation and support of migrant associations in the Diaspora through the auspices of Nigerian missions abroad;
(c)Ensure that migrants within Nigeria, as well as Nigerians detained abroad by the authorities of a host government, are granted access to the judicial system and, where necessary, to counsel, and are given, among other rights, the opportunity to contest repatriation and expulsion orders;
(d)Ensure that Nigerians detained abroad by the authorities of a host government, as well as migrants within Nigeria, irrespective of their Immigration status, are treated humanely and granted access to legal protection, including the assistance of counsel and competent interpreter services as available to citizens of that country;
(e)Take steps to promote the integration of migrant groups in Nigeria, and work closely with foreign authorities to encourage the integration of Nigerian migrants abroad into those host societies, as a means of fostering respect, acceptability and protection;
(f)Disseminate information through the National Orientation Agency, and other organs of government and civil society, on the positive contribution of migrants to society, in order to promote respect for and understanding of migrants;
(g)Ensure, through bilateral and multilateral agreements, that, when Nigerian migrants are repatriated, this is done humanely, and that the Government ensures their effective reintegration on return;
(h)Domesticate and implement International Treaties and Conventions and national laws on human rights.
Reply to paragraph 19 of the list of issues
In cases of irregular migrants, NIS through its legal framework (Advance Passenger Information system, API) ensures safe and orderly return of migrant workers and members of their families to their country of origin.
Reply to paragraph 20 of the list of issues
The National Policy on Labour Migration provides for assigning of Labour Attachés in Nigerian Diplomatic Missions in countries with strong presence of Nigerian migrant workers, however, there is only one Labour Attaché currently attached to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva.
Reply to paragraph 21 of the list of issues
The measures taken by Nigeria to promote the rights of migrant workers abroad are:
(a)Establishment of Migrant Resource Centers;
(b)Through the ILMD the Ministry has developed a Pre-departure and Post-arrival Manual to sensitize migrant workers on their rights and responsibilities in destination countries;
(c)Development of Gender Mainstreaming Strategy document;
(d)Labour laws are not discriminatory in nature;
(e)Nigeria is pursuing the conclusion of Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements (BLMAs) to provide external protection for migrant workers.
Reply to paragraph 22 of the list of issues
Section 13 – 20 of the Labour Act. Cap L1 LFN 2004 is non-discriminatory to national and non-national alike.
Reply to paragraph 23 of the list of issues
The labour Acts provides against child labour and it is non-discriminatory. Protects nationals and non-nationals alike.
Reply to paragraph 24 of the list of issues
As part of the requirement for licensing of employment agencies, medical retainership is mandatory.
Migrant workers’ and members of their families are entitled to adequate healthcare services.
Reply to paragraph 25 of the list of issues
In the absence of a Bilateral Labour Agreement, the Nigerian Diplomatic missions in destination countries take up issues concerning Nigerian children and undocumented Nigerians abroad. Also, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not discriminatory and every child has equal opportunity for registration at birth, the National Population Commission is the Government Agency of Government that registers births.
Reply to paragraph 26 of the list of issues
Section 3.8, National Policy on Labour Migration provides for measures for transfer of funds and welfare programs for migrant workers and families left at home.
Migrant workers and their families have the right to transfer their earnings and savings as well as personal belongings to their home country.
Reply to paragraph 27 of the list of issues
Sensitization and awareness are given to Nigerian nationals on pre-departure programs who are considering to migrate to other countries e.g. passport to safe migration and dangers in smuggling of migrants:
(a)Pre-departure orientation seminar is carried out by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment;
(b)The pre-departure training Programs include:
(i)Culture, customs, laws and policy of destination countries;
(ii)Rights and responsibilities in the destination countries;
(iii)Labour Migrants behavior at workplace and adaptability at the destination country;
(iv)Planning for return and post arrival.
Reply to paragraph 28 of the list of issues
Section 12 (1) of the Trade Union’ Act, grants all workers right to join and form a trade union.
Reply to paragraph 29 of the list of issues
An ongoing discussion.
Reply to paragraph 30 of the list of issues
As stated above, the Labour Acts is currently undergoing review.
Reply to paragraph 31 of the list of issues
The policy in place to enhance social security for migrant workers are:
National Policy on Labour Migration (NPLM);
National Employment Polices (NEP);
Labour Acts.
Currently, Nigeria has not signed any Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) with any destination country.
Reply to paragraph 32 of the list of issues
Migrant workers and members of their families with valid residency but their contract is terminated are eased out by NIS if the employer writes to the Service that they no longer take their responsibility else they migrant worker continues to enjoy the privileges of his residency permit till the expiration.
Reply to paragraph 33 of the list of issues
Measures taken to ensure that all workers enjoy equal treatment are:
Legislation is not discriminatory;
Authorized labour Officers conduct Regular inspection of workplaces to ensure compliance with extant labour laws.
Migrant workers earn more than Nigerian nationals.
Reply to paragraph 34 of the list of issues
Nigeria is not getting adequate support/cooperation from some Member States, especially in the GCC Countries where there is strong presence of Nigerian workers.
Reply to paragraph 35 of the list of issues
Migrant e-registration exercise is a step to regularize irregular migrants.
Measures taken to address the irregular national in the state party are establishment of the Migrant Resource Centers to provide free information to potential and intending Migrants. Training of ILMD staff to implement the services rendered at the Centre for effective migration issues.
Yes, there has been a reduction.
Community dialogues where the general community are sensitized on the dangers of irregular migration.
Provision of IEC materials and jingles in different dialects on the ills of irregular migration.
NIS measures put in place are Migrant Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS), Migrant e-Registration, Integrated Border Management system, Sensitization and Advocacy through all media channels are key structures that promote regular migration.
Reply to paragraph 36 of the list of issues
National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) plays a coordination role in the implementation of Return, Readmission and Reintegration (RRR) in Nigeria and is the chairperson of the Working Group on Return Readmission and Reintegration. Aside from its coordination role, it is also directly involved at every stage of the RRR Process, collecting relevant data across board.
The Commission also profiles the Returnees when they arrive, using our data collection devices and stores them in the database. This helps us identify those with vulnerability and make appropriate referrals.
The Commission in collaboration with International Organization on Migration (IOM) collects data of Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) on arrival.
During the reintegration phase of the RRR process, further data is acquired, such as skills level assessment, psychosocial assessment, family and community assessment.
Also, the Commission in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Nigeria Immigration Services, National Emergency Management Agency etc. collects data of forced Returns such as from Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Ukraine.
The Commission in collaboration with the IOM has registered over 25,000 Assisted Voluntary Returnees. As at January-June 2022, the Commission registered 1,893 (attached as Annex XX).
Section 4.6 of the National Policy on Labour Migration (NPLM) addresses voluntary return of migrant worker.
Reply to paragraph 37 (a) of the list of issues
Re-enactment of the TIPPEA Act 2015, with stiffer penalties for offenders (attached as Annex XXI).
Development of internal Standard Operating Procedures on Investigation and Prosecution of cases (attached as Annex XXII).
Development of Standard Operating Procedure for the Coordination of Law Enforcement Response to Human Trafficking in Nigeria (attached as Annex XXIII).
Reply to paragraph 37 (b) of the list of issues
Sensitization workshop for judges on appreciation of current trends in TIP. Two held.
Training of state taskforces against human trafficking. This year.
Capacity building workshop for LEAs (NPF, NSCDC, NIS, FRSC).
Trial advocacy training for prosecutors of NAPTIP.
Training of investigators and prosecutors (NAPTIP, NPF, NSCDC, NIS, FMoJ).
Reply to paragraph 37 (c) of the list of issues
Sensitization campaign through community dialogue and town hall meetings on dangers of human trafficking.
Enforcement of the provision of the law (TIPPEA).
Reply to paragraph 37 (d) of the list of issues
Development of the National Action Plan human trafficking in Nigeria (2022-2026).
Reply to paragraph 37 (e) of the list of issues
Protocol for identification, safe return and rehabilitation of Trafficked Persons (attached as Annex XIV).
National Policy for Protection and Assistance for Trafficked Persons in Nigeria (attached as Annex XV).
Reply to paragraph 37 (f) of the list of issues
Harmonization of identification and reporting tools on human trafficking by relevant stakeholders (attached as Annex XVI).
Training of relevant stakeholders on the use of the tools.
Capacity building on sensitization programs to curb the menace of irregular migration, programs on dangers on Mediterranean Sea.
Reply to paragraph 38 of the list of issues
NIS Migrant e-Registration is an initiation step for regularization of irregular migrants.
Reply to paragraph 39 (a) of the list of issues
National Migration Policy (2015) and National Policy on Labour Migration 2014 (Reviewed and Validated 2021).
Reply to paragraph 39 (b) of the list of issues
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment, Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, National Human Rights Commission, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
Reply to paragraph 39 (c) of the list of issues
National Policy on Labour Migration 2014 (Reviewed and Validated 2021), National Migration Policy (2015), National Visa Policy 2020 (attached as Annex XVII), National Border Management Strategy 2019-2023.
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment collaboration with International Organization for Migration within the framework of the European Union (EU) funded project “Individual Measure for the EU Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa to contribute to Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in the Sahel, Lake Chad and the Horn of Africa region.
Development of Employability Skills Training Manual for Training of Trainers (TOT) in a bid to strengthen the capacity of staff of the Migration Resource Centre’s (MRCs) and the NELEX Job Center’s across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country.
FAIRWAY program supported NLC to develop and validate a Trade Union Information Guide for Returning Migrants and Migrant Worker.
Scope: Labour Migration Governance.
Action plan:
Development of a Gender Mainstreaming Strategy (GMS) towards the implementation of the revised NPLM in order to address discrimination and gender disparities as well as grievance and justice mechanisms for migrant workers;
Development of an operational framework/ manual for the Migrant Resources Centre (MRC’s);
Awareness raising and sensitization on the implementation of the revised National Policy on Labour Migration.
Reply to paragraph 39 (d) of the list of issues
The Government has commenced the process for the ratification of ILO Convention 143 Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provision) and Convention 181 Private Employment Agencies.
Reply to paragraph 39 (e) of the list of issues
ILMD in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 2019, engaged two Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to carry out two activities for the ILMD of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, they are:
(a)The extension of labour inspections to sectors and workplaces were migrant workers might be present; and
(b)Assessment of the protection of rights of Nigerian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
Once migrant workers and members of their families are regularized, they are protected by the Act and Regulation of the NIS.
Reply to paragraph 40 (a) of the list of issues
Attached as Annex XVIII.
Reply to paragraph 40 (b) of the list of issues
No cases of migrant workers and members of their families are detained in Nigeria on Immigration related issues. No data in respect of nationals of the State party detained abroad in States of Employment.
Reply to paragraph 40 (c) of the list of issues
No cases of expelled migrant workers and members of their families with NIS.
Reply to paragraph 40 (d) of the list of issues
No information.
Reply to paragraph 40 (e) of the list of issues
No information available at the time of reporting.
Reply to paragraph 40 (g) of the list of issues
Reported cases of trafficking: 10,273
Convicted persons: 530
Male: 319
Female: 211
Victims of human trafficking: 18,535
Male: 4,859
Female: 13,676
Reply to paragraph 41 of the list of issues
The Government of Nigeria is considering making a Declaration in line with Article 76 of the Convention.