Governing Labour Migration in Nigeria

The illegal, and sometimes criminal, activities of Nigerian migrants in host communities have been a source of concern to the Governments, both in the past and present. The need for effective governing of the process of labour migration has become more necessary because of Nigerian migrant workers in irregular situations – especially women – who are extremely vulnerable to violations of their basic and fundamental human rights. There is a pressing need to check extensive exploitation, lack of social protection, the stigmatisation that Nigerian labour migrants are exposed to, and the embarrassment experienced by innocent Nigerians at various entry ports, especially at airports. The negative image of Nigeria among the comity of nations and the tensions usually generated between Nigeria and host countries resulting from xenophobic attacks on Nigerians – especially in those countries where large numbers of irregular Nigerian migrant workers reside – also calls for attention. Equally important has been the necessity for organising labour migration so that it is beneficial to the migrants and their families, as well as to both the origin and destination countries, to ensure labour migration for development.