Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as Nigeria) governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Migrants with a regular status have the same access as nationals to Government-funded health services.
- Nigeria has agreements for the portability of social security entitlements with member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
- The National Migration Policy establishes objectives and strategies to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerant behaviour towards migrants.
Areas with potential for further development
- Permanent residence permits are available exclusively to individuals who have been married to Nigerian citizens and obtained the Spouse of a Nigerian Citizen Visa.
- Citizens of Nigeria living abroad are not able to vote in national elections.
- Only migrants holding a business permit, such as an investor permit, can take up self-employment in Nigeria.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Nigeria’s National Migration Policy (NMP) aims to “address the multifaceted issues of migration and create a win-win situation for migrants and countries of origin, transit and destination”.
- The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons coordinates the implementation of the NMP in collaboration with key stakeholders.
- The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission coordinates diaspora policy in Nigeria
Areas with potential for further development
- The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of Nigeria does not include migration-related provisions.
- Nigeria only publishes migration data on an ad hoc basis.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- In 2010, the Governments of Nigeria and Switzerland signed an MOU on cooperation in capacity-building in relation to immigration administration and migration and development.
- Nigeria engages civil society organizations in agenda setting and the implementation of migration-related policies and programmes.
- The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission engages its diaspora and expatriate communities in agenda-setting and the implementation of activities pertaining to national development.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Government only engages with private sector partners in migration-related agenda setting on an ad hoc basis.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Nigeria Visa Policy (2020) introduced several visa categories for migrants employed in the country, some of which seek to attract migrants with specific skills.
- The National Policy on Labour Migration and the National Migration Policy include measures to promote gender equality for migrants in the labour force.
- Nigeria has developed multiple measures to promote the ethical recruitment of migrant workers.
- The Nigerian Government has put measures in place to facilitate the flow of remittances.
Areas with potential for further development
- The country has limited capacity for monitoring the labour market demand for immigrants or the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
- International students are charged higher university fees than nationals.
- Nigeria does not have measures to promote the financial inclusion of migrants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) contains provisions for addressing the displacement impacts of disasters
- Nigeria’s National Migration Policy (NMP) covers the linkages between migration, the environment and climate change.
- The National Migration Policy addresses the “return, readmission and reintegration” of nationals stranded abroad, including in crisis contexts.
Areas with potential for further development
- The NDMF does not contain provisions that specifically address assistance to migrants before, during, or post-crisis.
- The Government of Nigeria has measures in place to make exceptions to immigration procedures only for refugees.
- Nigeria’s national development strategies do not include measures regarding displacement or the reintegration of returning migrants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Nigeria has systems to monitor visa overstays through an e-passport system and the Migration Information and Data Analysis System among others.
- The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act sets the foundation for health and protection services for victims and survivors of trafficking in persons and establishes the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
- Nigeria has formal arrangements with other countries to prevent migrant smuggling.
Areas with potential for further development
- Migrant detention is only used as a measure of last resort but these apply only to survivors of trafficking or smuggling.
- Nigeria has procedures in place to identify and provide referral and protection services only to missing and vulnerable migrants who are victims of, or at risk of, trafficking.
2021 September
