The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) have called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the approval of the National Migration Policy currently being finalized for submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, who led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NCFRMI, emphasized the critical importance of the policy in addressing migration challenges and safeguarding the rights and dignity of migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Ojukwu noted that the policy would serve as a strategic framework to ensure the welfare and protection of vulnerable populations across the country. He also urged the Federal Government to release critical funding to NCFRMI to enable it to respond more effectively to displacement and migration issues.
In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, said the commission has made remarkable progress in supporting affected populations, including the construction of resettlement camps in several states. However, he lamented that the resettlement camp in Imo State was recently destroyed due to a lack of public awareness about the rights and needs of refugees, migrants, and IDPs.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the need for sustained public sensitization to promote understanding, empathy, and protection for these vulnerable groups,” Hon. Ahmed stated.
The Federal Commissioner also revealed that NCFRMI has successfully repatriated over 500,000 Nigerian refugees and has provided skills acquisition training for thousands. The commission, he said, manages training centers across various states, equipping more than 250 individuals quarterly amounting to over 6,000 people annually.
Both NHRC and NCFRMI emphasized that swift approval of the National Migration Policy would offer renewed hope and tangible support for displaced populations, while strengthening national capacity to manage migration effectively.
They also pledged enhanced collaboration to promote human rights and sustainable development, stressing that protection of vulnerable populations is a cornerstone for peace and national progress.
