International Migrants Day. Photo credit: Freepik
Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria has joined the global community in observing International Migrants Day, honoring the invaluable contributions of migrants worldwide and reaffirming their commitment to support advocacy and sensitization for promotion and protection of migrants’ rights.
The Convener, Tunde Salman Jimoh who made this known in a statement on Thursday, explained that reports indicate that among the 281 million international migrants globally, the number of people displaced by conflict, violence, disaster, and other reasons reached 117 million, an indication of the need for humanitarian assistance. Nigeria’s estimated net migration rate for 2024 is -0.2 migrants per 1,000 people, a 2.2 % decline from 2023.
According to recent data from the Afrobarometer, “The proportion of citizens who have given emigration “a lot” of thought has tripled since 2017. The most common reasons among potential emigrants are the search for work opportunities and the wish to overcome economic hardship.”
Furthermore, he noted rhat the economic importance of migrants cannot be overstated. Migrants bring diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences, enriching their host countries’ economies, cultures, and societies. Their contributions fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth, while their remittances support families and communities worldwide, highlighting the importance of inclusive and effective migration policies. The 2024 IOM report also suggests that from 2000 to 2022, remittances increased by 650% from $128 billion to $831 billion, a demonstration of the significant contribution migrants make to the global economy.
However, he said the tracked 28,578 child migrants along the Eastern Route, with 36% being girls and 26% unaccompanied; and the extreme violence, human rights violations, and exploitation that migrants and refugees face on land routes to Africa’s Mediterranean coast is a clarion call to respect the rights of migrants.
Whilst migration forms part of human rights of individuals, the risks involved in irregular migration exposes many to a lot of vulnerabilities. “Honoring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting their Rights” necessitates policies that strengthen the resilience of host communities, foster inclusive and cohesive societies, and harness the contributions of migrants as a basis of growth and novelty in host communities.
Jimoh added that GGT Nigeria is committed to advocating for migrants’ rights and dignity. ‘‘We believe that migrants deserve fair treatment, access to essential services, and equal opportunities to thrive. To commemorate International Migrants Day, we call on governments, international organizations, and civil society to take concrete steps to protect migrants’ rights.
‘‘Specifically, we urge stakeholders to strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant children and vulnerable populations, address the root causes of migration, promote inclusive migration policies, and provide humanitarian assistance and support to migrants and refugees in need.
‘‘As we celebrate International Migrants Day, GGT Nigeria invites individuals, organizations, and governments to join us in promoting migrants’ diversity and resilience. Collaborating together, we can foster a society that values, promotes equality, and empowers each person to achieve their highest aspirations’’, the statement concluded.
