By Iroyin Yoruba Television
African stakeholders, lawmakers and diaspora representatives have called for stronger measures to protect migrants across the continent, warning that xenophobia, human trafficking, exploitation and unsafe migration routes continue to place African citizens at serious risk.
The call was made on Monday, October 5, during a one-day conference and strategic dialogue on the effects of migration on African citizens organised by the African Diaspora Union in Abuja.
The conference brought together representatives and stakeholders from different African countries to discuss the experiences of migrants, the causes of irregular migration and the need for governments to strengthen protection for citizens living and working outside their countries.
Participants argued that migration should be approached primarily as a human issue rather than simply as a matter of border control.
They also called for stronger cooperation among African governments to protect migrants from abuse and exploitation while addressing the conditions that push people to undertake dangerous journeys in search of employment, education and better living conditions.
The discussion comes amid continuing concerns over the treatment of African migrants in different parts of the continent and increasing calls for governments to confront xenophobia and trafficking.
MIGRATION DISCUSSION CENTRED ON HUMAN DIGNITY
The Global President of the African Diaspora Union, Professor Chidiebere Ogbu, said the purpose of the Abuja dialogue was to place human lives at the centre of discussions about migration.
He argued that behind every migration statistic was an individual person with aspirations, family responsibilities and hopes for a better future.
According to Ogbu, dangerous migration journeys often reflect the search for opportunities that people cannot find within their own communities.
He said African governments needed to examine the economic and social conditions that make risky migration appear more attractive to young people than opportunities available at home.
The argument shifts attention from simply discouraging irregular migration to addressing some of the factors that drive it.
Where young people lack employment opportunities, access to education or realistic prospects for economic advancement, warnings about the dangers of migration may not be sufficient to prevent them from taking risks.
AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS URGED TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
Participants at the conference called for greater attention to the reasons people migrate.
Migration is a normal feature of human societies, and Africans have historically moved between countries for trade, employment, education, family connections and other reasons.
The problem becomes more serious when migrants are forced to rely on dangerous routes or fraudulent agents because legal pathways are unavailable or difficult to access.
Ogbu said Africa must address the conditions that make dangerous migration appear more attractive to young people than opportunities available within the continent.
This includes improving economic opportunities, strengthening education and skills development and creating environments where young people can build sustainable livelihoods.
The argument is particularly important for countries with large youthful populations.
When large numbers of young people face limited economic opportunities, migration can become an increasingly attractive option.
Without safe and legal migration channels, however, individuals can become vulnerable to traffickers and fraudulent migration agents.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING REMAINS A MAJOR CONCERN
Human trafficking was another major issue raised during the Abuja conference.
Traffickers often exploit people's desire to travel, work or improve their economic circumstances.
Victims can be promised legitimate employment or travel opportunities before being subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse.
The organisers called for stronger mechanisms to identify and protect victims while improving cooperation between governments and security agencies.
Ogbu said people subjected to exploitation should be treated as human beings whose dignity and rights must be protected.
He also called for stronger enforcement and accountability against those who profit from trafficking.
The problem requires cooperation because trafficking networks frequently operate across national borders.
A person may be recruited in one country, transported through another and exploited in a third.
Effective action therefore requires immigration authorities, police, border agencies and other institutions to share information and coordinate investigations.
MIGRANTS SHOULD NOT BECOME COMMODITIES
The conference placed particular emphasis on the dignity of migrants.
Ogbu warned against treating African migrants as commodities that can be exploited for profit.
His argument applies to both legal and irregular migration.
Migrants who lack proper documentation may be particularly vulnerable because they can be reluctant to report abuse for fear of arrest, deportation or other consequences.
This vulnerability can be exploited by employers, traffickers or criminal groups.
Strong migrant-protection systems should therefore provide mechanisms through which victims can report abuse and receive assistance regardless of their immigration status.
The objective should be to ensure that enforcement of immigration laws does not remove basic protections for human beings.
XENOPHOBIA AND AFROPHOBIA RAISE CONCERNS
Another major concern discussed at the Abuja event was xenophobia.
Participants expressed concern about Africans being attacked or discriminated against in other African countries because of their nationality or perceived foreign status.
Ogbu described this as part of a broader problem of xenophobia and Afro-phobia.
The issue has particular relevance to Nigeria because millions of Nigerians live, work or conduct business outside the country.
Nigerian migrants are present in many African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and other destinations.
They contribute to local economies through employment, entrepreneurship, trade and professional services.
When migrants are targeted because of nationality, however, economic and social relationships can deteriorate.
Participants therefore urged governments to develop stronger measures for preventing attacks and ensuring accountability when migrants are subjected to violence or discrimination.
LAWMAKERS PROMISE GREATER PROTECTION
The National Assembly was represented at the conference, with lawmakers reaffirming their responsibility to protect Nigerians living and working abroad.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Representative Joshua Audu Gana, said the National Assembly had a responsibility to defend the interests, safety and dignity of Nigerians outside the country.
Gana said legislative engagement was necessary when the rights or interests of Nigerian citizens were threatened.
He referred to recent tensions involving Nigerians and South Africa and said legislative measures had been taken as part of efforts to protect Nigerians and strengthen Nigeria's position in diplomatic negotiations.
His comments reflected the wider concern that protection of citizens abroad cannot depend entirely on individual migrants.
Government institutions, diplomatic missions and lawmakers also have responsibilities when Nigerians face serious threats in foreign countries.
DIPLOMATIC PROTECTION
Nigeria's diplomatic missions play an important role in protecting Nigerians abroad.
Embassies and consulates can provide assistance during emergencies, communicate with host governments and help citizens understand their rights and obligations.
In serious cases involving detention, violence or other threats, diplomatic intervention can become critical.
However, the Abuja conference suggested that diplomatic action should be complemented by broader regional agreements and stronger legal protections.
African countries share extensive migration patterns, meaning that a problem affecting migrants in one country can have consequences for relationships across the continent.
Cooperation between governments can therefore help reduce tensions and create clearer procedures for responding to incidents involving foreign nationals.
WHY SAFE MIGRATION MATTERS
Safe migration is different from preventing migration altogether.
People move across borders for many legitimate reasons.
Students seek education, workers seek employment, entrepreneurs seek markets and families move for personal or social reasons.
The challenge is ensuring that those who choose to migrate can do so through safe, legal and informed channels.
When legal migration pathways are accessible, migrants are less likely to depend on criminal intermediaries.
They can also obtain clearer information about employment conditions, visa requirements and their rights in destination countries.
The conference therefore called for a broader approach that combines migration management with economic development and human-rights protection.
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION
Accurate information is another important element of safe migration.
People considering migration need reliable information about visa requirements, employment opportunities, accommodation, travel costs and the laws of destination countries.
Without accurate information, prospective migrants can become vulnerable to fraudulent agents.
Fraudsters may promise visas, jobs or residency in exchange for large sums of money.
Some victims only discover the deception after travelling or paying substantial fees.
Governments and legitimate migration institutions can help reduce this risk by making reliable information easier to access.
Public awareness campaigns can also warn people about common forms of migration fraud.
PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Women and children can face particular risks during irregular migration.
Women travelling through unsafe routes can become targets for sexual exploitation, forced labour and trafficking.
Children travelling without adequate protection can also become vulnerable to exploitation or disappear from the formal protection system.
Migration policies therefore need safeguards that account for the different risks faced by vulnerable groups.
Child protection systems should be integrated into border and migration management.
Authorities should also ensure that victims of trafficking are treated as victims rather than simply as immigration offenders.
THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF MIGRATION
Migration also has an economic dimension that African governments cannot ignore.
Migrants contribute to economies through work, businesses, taxes, consumer spending and remittances.
Nigerians living abroad send money home to support families and communities.
African migrants also establish businesses and create employment in destination countries.
When migrants are subjected to xenophobia or arbitrary restrictions, both individuals and economies can suffer.
A balanced migration policy should therefore recognise both the rights of migrants and the legitimate responsibilities of governments to manage borders.
REGIONAL COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL
The conference organisers called for stronger cooperation among African countries.
Migration does not stop at national borders, and neither do trafficking networks or xenophobic tensions.
Countries need mechanisms for sharing information about trafficking, identifying vulnerable migrants and responding quickly to emergencies.
Regional cooperation can also help governments develop consistent standards for the treatment of migrants.
The African Union and regional economic communities have roles to play in supporting such frameworks.
Individual countries can strengthen their own laws, but cooperation is necessary when migration patterns cross multiple jurisdictions.
ADDRESSING DANGEROUS MIGRATION ROUTES
Dangerous migration routes continue to claim lives.
People attempting to cross deserts, oceans or conflict zones can face dehydration, violence, exploitation and death.
Some migrants rely on smugglers who promise to transport them safely but abandon them in dangerous environments.
Others may be forced into exploitative situations after reaching their destination.
The conference's emphasis on creating opportunities within Africa is therefore linked directly to the need to reduce dangerous journeys.
If people have viable opportunities at home and can access safe legal routes when they choose to migrate, the influence of criminal migration networks can be reduced.
GOVERNMENTS URGED TO SET CLEAR TARGETS
Ogbu called for governments to move beyond general statements and identify specific measures for preventing trafficking, protecting migrants and addressing xenophobia.
He urged authorities to establish responsible institutions and timelines for implementing those measures.
Such an approach could make it easier to determine whether commitments made at conferences and diplomatic meetings are producing practical results.
Migration protection requires sustained action rather than occasional responses after incidents occur.
Governments need mechanisms for monitoring migrant welfare and responding to emerging threats.
THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY
Civil society organisations can also play an important role in protecting migrants.
They often work directly with communities and can identify cases of exploitation that may not immediately reach government agencies.
Civil society groups can provide legal assistance, emergency support, public education and referrals to relevant authorities.
They can also document cases of abuse and advocate for policy changes.
The Abuja dialogue demonstrated the importance of bringing government representatives, lawmakers, diaspora organisations and civil society together to discuss migration.
AFRICA'S INTERNAL MIGRATION FUTURE
Migration within Africa is likely to remain an important part of the continent's economic and social future.
As economies grow and regional integration expands, people will continue to move between countries.
African countries therefore need migration systems that recognise this reality while protecting national security.
The goal should be orderly, safe and regular migration rather than policies that push migrants into hidden or dangerous channels.
This requires stronger documentation systems, efficient border management, accessible legal pathways and cooperation between countries.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The immediate challenge following the Abuja conference is turning the recommendations into practical action.
Governments will need to strengthen mechanisms for protecting migrants and preventing trafficking.
African countries will also need to continue addressing xenophobia and discrimination against citizens of other African nations.
For Nigeria, the issue is particularly important because of the large number of Nigerians living and working abroad.
The National Assembly, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian diplomatic missions and relevant migration agencies will continue to have important roles in protecting Nigerians overseas.
The Nigeria Immigration Service also remains central to managing the movement of people across Nigeria's borders and combating irregular migration.
CONCLUSION
The Abuja migration dialogue has renewed calls for African governments to place human dignity at the centre of migration policy.
Stakeholders warned that xenophobia, trafficking, exploitation and dangerous migration routes continue to threaten African citizens.
They argued that governments must address both the immediate protection needs of migrants and the deeper economic and social conditions that encourage people to undertake dangerous journeys.
For Nigeria, the issue carries particular significance because millions of Nigerians live, work, study and conduct business outside the country.
Protecting those citizens requires effective diplomacy, regional cooperation, reliable migration information and strong legal mechanisms.
At the same time, Nigeria and other African countries must create economic and social opportunities that allow young people to build meaningful lives without feeling compelled to take dangerous migration routes.
The message from the Abuja conference was therefore broader than a call for tighter border controls.
It was a call for a migration system in which people can move safely, legally and with dignity; where victims of trafficking receive protection; where migrants are not targeted because of nationality; and where governments cooperate to address problems that no country can solve alone.
The effectiveness of the discussions will ultimately depend on what happens after the conference.
Specific policies, responsible institutions and measurable implementation will be required if the commitments made in Abuja are to translate into better protection for African migrants.
For now, stakeholders have placed the issue firmly on the regional agenda and called on African governments to treat the safety, dignity and rights of migrants as a shared responsibility.