PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS OF NIGERIAN MIGRANTS: THE CASE OF MIGRANTS’ REMITTANCES ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

Human rights are all rights and privileges inherent on man by virtue of existence. A few inalienable human rights are selected, protected, safeguarded and enshrined in the constitution. The objective of the paper is to explore the human rights of Nigerian migrants and analyze the contributions of migrants’ remittances to income-generation in Nigeria. Findings show that Nigerians abroad remit billions of US dollars yearly for consumption, investment and enterprise growth. In 2006, the sum of USD 5.4 billion was remitted from abroad to Nigeria. From 2007 to 2009, the sums of USD 9.2 billion, USD 9.9 billion and USD 9.6 billion respectively were remitted to Nigeria by Nigerian migrants abroad. In 2010, remittancerecipients in Nigeria received an estimated sum of USD 9.975 billion. Migrants’ remittal enterprise plays a role in investment and enterprise growth, and has had significant effect on Nigeria’s economy. Migrants need adequate information to afford them better opportunities both at home and in their host countries and they
need proper orientation on issues relating to migration. Governments support and protection are necessary for Nigerian migrants in order to protect and respect their human rights, and to ensure that they are not exploited; and that their earnings in the host  countries are safeguarded. The paper concluded that international migration, therefore, has enormous implications for growth and welfare development in both the origin and destination countries.