Action For Improving Labour Migration Governance in Nigeria (ACTION Project)

Nigeria is one of West Africa's major countries of origin, transit and destination for migrant workers, making effective labour migration governance essential for both national development and regional mobility. While the country has strengthened its policy framework in recent years, challenges remain, including fragmented institutional coordination, limited access to reliable labour migration data and persistent risks of unfair recruitment, exploitation and discrimination faced by migrant workers.

Implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with funding from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under its ZME Programme, the ACTION Project addresses these challenges by strengthening governance frameworks, institutional capacities and evidence-based policymaking. The project is aligned with Nigeria's National Policy on Labour Migration, the National Migration Policy, the ILO Fair Migration Agenda and Fair Recruitment Initiative, and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Abidjan Declaration.

Activities

Through a comprehensive and gender-responsive approach, the project supports the development and implementation of labour migration policies, strengthens institutions and technical capacities, improves labour migration data systems, promotes fair recruitment and employment practices, and expands access to information and support services for migrant workers, intending migrants and returning. It also promotes regional cooperation through a corridor approach with Ghana, while supporting innovative solutions such as digital governance tools, Migrant Resource Centres, Migration Advisory Desks, financial education, economic inclusion, awareness raising and capacity-development initiatives that contribute to safer migration pathways and improved protection for migrant workers, including women, youth and returnees.

Partners

The ACTION Project is implemented by the ILO in close collaboration with the government, workers' and employers' organisations in Nigeria including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, National Employers' Consultative Association, Employers Association for Private Employment Agengies in Nigeria and other national institutions responsible for labour migration governance, including public authorities working on migration, employment and data. It also engages civil society organizations, the media and development partners to strengthen policy implementation, raise awareness and promote fair labour migration governance. The project also complements regional initiatives, including FMM West Africa II, FAIRWAY II and the Integrated Programme on Fair Recruitment (FAIR), fostering cooperation between Nigeria, Ghana and other partners to advance safe, regular and orderly labour migration across West Africa.