Nigeria has officially validated the Revised National Migration Policy to better reflect the dynamic and evolving realities of migration.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Tanko Sununu, endorsed the policy document during a Technical Working Group meeting on the National Migration Policy Review and its Integrated Implementation Plan, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Dr Sununu described the original policy, adopted in 2015, as a milestone in providing the country with a coordinated, rights-based framework for migration governance. However, he noted that due to the ever-changing nature of migration, an update was necessary to ensure alignment with current realities and global policy shifts.
“The rationale behind the review was to reflect current migration trends and frameworks, particularly the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in 2018, to which Nigeria is fully committed as a Champion Country for implementation, as well as other national, regional and global frameworks,” he explained.
The Minister said the revised policy aims to enhance institutional coherence, integrate international best practices, and reinforce national ownership of migration governance.
He added that the Technical Working Group had also developed an Integrated Implementation Plan to serve a dual function: as a roadmap for executing the revised National Migration Policy and as a guide for fulfilling Nigeria’s obligations under the GCM.
“This integrated approach is both strategic and forward-looking, and it places Nigeria in a strong position to lead by example within the region,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Mr Tijjani Ahmed, said the plan was developed in line with the United Nations Network on Migration’s six-step guidance for implementing the GCM.
He emphasised that the integrated strategy ensures Nigeria’s migration policy is both nationally driven and aligned with global governance principles.
Mr Ahmed highlighted the rapidly changing nature of migration, shaped by economic shifts, social changes, conflict, and major global events, stressing the need for a responsive and comprehensive policy.
“As such, we must continue to adapt and strengthen our national strategies to both harness the immense opportunities migration offers and to mitigate the challenges it may present,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ms Sharon Dimanche, described the policy as more than a framework, calling it “a call to action for stronger collaboration across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
“A call for a true whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. A call to recentre the conversation on migration governance around those concerned: the migrants themselves,” she added.
Ms Dimanche stressed that the policy was informed by data, including findings from Nigeria’s Voluntary GCM Reviews, the Migration Governance Indicators, and national assessments.
“This is why we, at IOM, are proud to have been part of this process. We remain committed to working with the Government of Nigeria and all partners in the successful adoption, resource mobilisation, and implementation of this policy,” she said.
She concluded by stating that this milestone reflects Nigeria’s commitment to developing a migration governance system that is inclusive, evidence-based, and aligned with global best practices.
