The protection of Nigerian migrant workers abroad has become necessary because of their vulnerability to discrimination, extortion, arbitrary detention, hazardous working conditions, deportation, rape, violence and even murder. Nigerian migrant workers, particularly those working in the informal sectors and those in irregular situations, are the most vulnerable. To curb the illegal activities of Nigerian migrant workers and also address their vulnerabilities, Nigeria has leveraged many international conventions to review, enact, and implement legislations to promote human rights and offer protection to its citizens abroad. One of such legislations is the National Policy on Labour Migration.

The policy was borne out of the need to protect and promote the welfare of Nigerian migrant workers abroad, promote regular migration while curtailing irregular migration as well as provide prospective migrants information about the conditions governing entry, residence and work in destination countries. The policy has three main goals: i) promote good governance of labour migration; ii) protect migrant workers and promote their welfare and that of their families left behind; iii) optimize the benefits of labour migration on development while mitigating its adverse impact. It contains an institutional framework and a detailed action plan for its implementation. In addition, the Policy contains the United Nations and International Labour Organization Conventions relating to labour migration that have been ratified by Nigeria, and the national legislation relating to labour migration in Nigeria.