Data Privacy and Ethical Challenges in the Management of Migrant Records in Nigeria

Ugonna Vivian Ailakhu & Smart Eromosele Ambrose 

Abstract

The management of migrant records in Nigeria has become a vital component of migration governance, national security, and human rights protection. This study investigates the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding the collection, processing, and storage of migrant data within Nigeria’s migration management systems. It demonstrates how agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) handle sensitive information, including biometric data, travel histories, and refugee documents. Even though the Nigerian Data Protection Act has been signed into law, substantial ethical issues remain, particularly in terms of data protection, consent, secrecy, and responsibility. The study demonstrates that frequent breaches, unauthorised sharing, and misuse of migrant information are driven by inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure, a lack of institutional cohesion, and a lack of education about data ethics. It also discusses the conflict between national security needs and individual privacy rights, emphasising that ineffective enforcement and oversight lead to ethical issues. The paper emphasises the importance of a human rights-based and moral framework for the control of migrant data in Nigeria. According to the study, robust legislation alone is insufficient to ensure open, safe, and accountable migration management. It should also include ethical standards, professional training, and institutional improvements that prioritise privacy, dignity, and fairness when handling migrant data.

Keywords: Data Protection Act, Migration governance, Ethics, Human rights, and Migrant records