Nigeria Moves To Rethink Migration Governance As Revised Policy Awaits FEC Approval
As migration patterns across West Africa grow more fluid and complex, Nigeria is taking a fresh look at how it manages the movement of people within and beyond its borders.
The Federal Government’s revised National Migration Policy is now before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for adoption, marking the first major overhaul of the framework since it was introduced in 2015.
Stakeholders say the update reflects changing realities, including Nigeria’s emerging role not just as a country of emigration, but also as a destination for migrants.
Speaking at the 2025 Civil Society Forum on Migration in Abuja, Executive Director of Patriotic Citizen Initiatives, Osita Osemene, said the review was long overdue, noting that migration decisions often begin at the community level.
He explained that the revised policy introduces state-level coordination into migration governance, a shift aimed at improving ownership, accountability and support for migrants.
Advocates say the new structure could also help address insecurity linked to poorly managed borders.
President of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, Abdulganiyu Abubakar, argued that stronger state involvement would ease pressure on the federal government and improve border management.
Government officials, however, acknowledge that implementation will be key.
Director of Migration Affairs at the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Ambassador Catherine Udida, said improved coordination has already led to the safe return and reintegration of thousands of Nigerian migrants in 2025.
Civil Society groups and international partners, including the International Organisation for Migration, say the revised policy is clearer, more inclusive and better aligned with global standards.
Still, observers warn that funding gaps, data challenges and uneven adoption by states could undermine its impact.
With a final decision by the Federal Executive Council expected soon, stakeholders agree that the true test of the revised policy will be how effectively it is implemented beyond Abuja, where migration realities are lived daily.
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