MIGRATION GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA The draft National Policy (NMP) was elaborated sequel to several international and domestic calls for mechanisms to protect the human rights of migrants and to discourage irregular forms of migration, through various strategies. And, also to harness the potentials and linkage between migration and development. The NMP notes that effective coordination is key to the successful implementation of the policy, in particular the need for the policy to address policy coherence and the development of synergies among the MDAs. This document describes the on-going coordination structure that is being developed for the implementation of the NMP. The structure is anchored on the recognition that over twenty national and international organisations are involved in migration management. Delivering on the objectives of the NMP will be paramount so that achievements by the different MDAs will contribute to a migration environment that truly make the social benefits, protection and care available to all migrants
LEVELS OF COORDINATION There are essentially four levels of coordination: 1. Ministerial Committee: Currently, there is a committee of Ministers and Heads of Parastatals with migration related mandate known as the Sector Policy Review Committee (SPRC). The SPRC is co- Chaired by the Minister of National Planning and the Minister of Special Duties being the supervising Minister of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). But within the Act setting up the NCFRMI which is currently under review, it is envisaged that the SPRC would transform into the NCC under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Justice. 2. Technical Working Group (TWG): This is the second level of coordination. The TWG consist of representatives of all Agencies, both State and Non State Actors who are involve in the operational activities relating to migration. The TWG is the core instrument of coordination at the operational level whose secretariat is the NCFRMI. The TWG makes recommendations to the SPRC for approval. 3. Sectoral/Thematic Groups: There are five (5) Sectoral Groups working on various thematic areas on migration. Each sectoral group has several agencies with related mandate under it and with a lead agency and in some cases, a co-lead. The lead agency provide coordination and periodically report to the TWG. The activities of each sectoral group is guided either by a sectoral policy (as in the case of Labour and Diaspora Matters) or by a strategic implementation document upon which an MoU is signed 4. Individual MDAs: These are individual organizations; both State and non State whose mandates and/or activities are related directly or indirectly; and have implication for migration. These MDAs operate at their individual institutional level and have Desk officers who are members of their respective Working Groups as well as members of the TWG
SPRC/NCC NCFRMI TWG NNVS The NNVS is supported by MFA Standing Committee on Diaspora Matters FML&P Working Group on Labour NCFRMI Forced and AVRR NPopC NPopC is supported by NBS Working Group on Data Managemen t Strategy NIS NIS is supported by NAPTIP Stakeholder s Forum on Border Managemen t INDIVIDUAL MDAs
STATUS OF THE VARIOUS THEMATIC GROUPS 1. STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIASPORA MATTERS (SCDM): This thematic group focuses on issues relating to diaspora mobilization. The lead agency is Nigeria National Volunteer Services (NNVS). It had developed its own sectorial policy known as the draft Policy on Diaspora matters. Within the framework of this draft policy, it is envisaged that the Ministry of foreign Affairs would provide co-lead. Some issues relating to this group includes, Diaspora contributions to national development, Remittances; Diaspora Engagement (in electoral process and other socio-economic and political matters). Also some key members include: The Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministries of Labour, Health, Education, Trade & Investment; Youths & Development; National University Commission, Diaspora organizations, CSOs etc. The draft Policy is awaiting approval from the Federal Executive Council 2. LABOUR MIGRATION: The Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity (FML&P) provides the lead. The Ministry has also developed a sectorial policy known as Labour Policy. Issues include: Expatriate Quota, Labour Exchange, Protection of Migrant Workers etc. Also, some stakeholders include: the Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS); Ministry of Interior, Federal Ministries of Health, Education, Foreign Affairs (MFA), NNVS, CSOs, etc. The draft Policy is awaiting approval from the Federal Executive Council 3. FORCED MIGRATION AND AVRR: Forced is directly under the responsibility of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). But the Commission also provide lead in the coordination of activities relating to Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR). There is a draft strategy document known as the AVRR Manual of Operation that defines clear roles and responsibility of the agency related to AVRR matters. Members of this group include, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Small & Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The AVRR manual is still being studied by stakeholders. Upon its validation and MoU would be signed among the various MDAs 4. WORKING GROUP ON MIGRATION DATA MANAGEMENT (WGMD): The National Population Commission (NPopC)provide lead for this group with support from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The group has developed a document known as Data Management Strategy. The main focus of this group is the harmonization of migration data across all MDAs. Members of this group include NCFRMI, NIS, FML&P and NNVS. This group is in the stage of signing a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) that commit to within certain agreed terms of interface provided for by the Data Management Strategy. 5. STAKEHOLDERS FORUM ON BORDER MANAGEMENT: This group has not properly been established but consultations are on-going. It is envisaged that the NIS would provide lead and with secretarial support from NAPTIP. The group is expected to focus on issues relating to the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, Border Security, Trafficking in persons; Migrant Smuggling etc. Some members of this group may include: The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Custom Services, Port Health Authority, the Nigeria Military, Border Community, CSOs etc. The strategy document that would guide the operations of this group within some set of agreed terms is being developed. Upon its completion it would be validated by members of the group for implementation
THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES, MIGRANTS AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE COORDINATION STRUCTURE OF MIGRATION IN NIGERIA In Nigeria, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons is the coordinating agency of all migration related issues in Nigeria. Apart from its operation role in providing protection and assistance to Refugees and Internally Displaced persons, it also provide the lead for conducting activities relating to Assisted Voluntary Return and reintegration (AVRR) for Nigerians who may be in irregular situation abroad and who may have indicated their interest to return home. PRESIDENCY Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Ministry of Special Duties & Intergovernmental Affairs National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons Refugees IDPs AVRR Coordination Forced and AVRR TWG
THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP 1. The draft National Policy provides an overarching framework for the coordination of migration related activities in Nigeria. It is presently before the Federal Executive Council for Approval. 2. Other Sectoral Policies and/or Thematic strategic Documents all derive from the National migration Policy 3. The TWG is the platform upon which the activities of the various thematic/sectoral group is coordinated, Monitored & Evaluated 4. The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internal Displaced Persons is the Chair of the TWG. 5. The Commission presents the recommendations of the TWG to the NCC as the Secretariat. 6. The NCC is envisaged to take the place of the SPRC as the overall migration policy making organ of the Federal government to be chaired by the Minister of Justice. 7. The various effort being made in developing a coordination framework for migration activities; both at the level of the TWG and sectoral/thematic group; is still on-going. The target is to achieve a complete system by 2015 paving way for the mainstreaming of migration into the post 2015 development agenda.
LIST OF ACRONYMES 1. AVRR: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration 2. CSOs: Civil Society Organizations 3. IDPs: Internally Displaced Persons 4. NNVS: Nigeria National Volunteer Services 5. SPRC: Sector Policy Review Committee 6. NCC: National Consultative Committee 7. NCFRMI: National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & IDPs 8. NPC: National Planning Commission 9. NPopC: National Population Commission 10. NBS: National Bureau of Statistics 11. TWG: Technical Working Group 12. NIS: Nigeria Immigration Services 13. FML&P: Federal ministry of Labour & productivity 14. MFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15. NAPTIP: National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in persons 16. MoU: Memorandum of Understanding 17. WGMD: Working Group on Data 18. SCDM: Standing Committee on Diaspora Matter 19. MDAs: Ministries, Department & Agencies 20. CBN: Central Bank of Nigeria