Migration Profile on Nigeria - IOM Publications - International ...

created, they lack the appropriate human resources and operational capacity to
collect, analyse and publish policy-relevant data and information. Much relevant
data on migration and development are scattered between various countries
and different actors within countries, making it difficult for policymakers to
identify the data most relevant for policy development.
The knowledge base for migration needs to be improved. Although a great
deal of information for the development of the draft policy has been gathered
through consultations, the evidence presented in these consultations is often
inadequate and could be improved through enhanced sharing of information
and data collection methods.
Ways of rectifying the inadequacies
Improvement in migration management calls for the development and
input of the socio-economic indicators that are relevant to migration issues in
individual ministries and agencies. The former would include further promotion
of the positive aspects of migration and improvements in the education system
to ensure an adequate supply of the required skills for development, among
others. The anticipated promotion of remittances from the diaspora should
be a two-way interactive system: as the Government offers a safe and secure
environment at home and shows more concern for its citizens abroad, the
diaspora are likely to get more involved in the development of the country.
Furthermore, better management should embrace further regulation of
irregular migration and the protection of vulnerable groups. The former should
consider better ways of integrating repatriated trafficked persons in the country.
The protection of vulnerable groups should also cover that of internally displaced
persons, which constitutes the major group in the country. Past incidences of
internally displaced persons have been on a relatively large scale and sporadic,
and there are indications of imminent and more frequent occurrences; hence,
adequate provisions should be made way ahead of emergency situations.
In addition, the full implementation of the policy would require using
census data and data on arrivals and departures, in particular the expected
migration data from the 2006 Population Census, in the planning and execution
of migration plans.
Furthermore, the yet-to-be ratified agreements, laws and protocols
should be dealt with. Given that they pertain to Nigeria, the United Nations
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant
86 <strong>Migration</strong> in Nigeria: A Country <strong>Profile</strong> 2009