Today, the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) published a Country of Origin Information (COI) Report entitled ‘Nigeria – Country Focus’. The report provides an overview of selected topics in Nigeria, relevant for the international protection status determination of Nigerian applicants.

This is the second COI report on Nigeria published by EASO. In October 2014, EASO published a COI report on Sex Trafficking of women¹.

In 2016, Nigeria ranked 5th in the top countries of origin in the EU+ countries ² , with a total of 48,705 applicants. This is a 46 % increase compared to 2015. In April 2017, Nigeria was the third-ranked country of origin in Europe.

In this report EASO provides information focusing on ‘selected topics’ of particular relevance for international protection status determination (Refugee Status and Subsidiary Protection) for Nigerian applicants. It is not meant to be a general description of the human rights situation in the country, nor a comprehensive overview of all topics at stake in international protection status determination.

Input from EU+ countries suggests that a majority of Nigerian applicants for international protection originate from the southern part of the country, and a large part of them from Edo state, a relatively small state representing a similarly small fraction of the Nigerian population. Therefore, information related to the south of Nigeria and in particular Edo State, is given particular attention in this country focus report.

Key topics.

The first chapter of the report provides background information about the legal and administrative system, ethnic groups and political situation in Nigeria. This chapter also discusses the general human rights situation, covering issues related to Boko Haram, vigilantism, ethnic-religious violence, corruption, and abuse of power by security forces. The second chapter presents the security situation in the country’s six regions and thematic security issues such as conflicts between ‘indigenes’ and ‘settlers’ and between nomads and farmers. The third chapter covers the judiciary, sources of Nigerian legislation and the functioning of law enforcement. Chapter 4 is devoted to gender-related issues, such as the widespread domestic violence of which mainly women are victims, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) the prevalence of which is steadily decreasing, and child and forced marriages largely occurring in northern Nigeria. Trafficking of Human Beings (THB) is discussed only briefly as this topic is covered comprehensively in the abovementioned Sex Trafficking of Women report. Chapter 5 is dedicated to the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) persons, and their treatment by society and authorities, and discusses the impact of the recent legislation prohibiting same sex marriages. The sixth chapter gives an overview of the main religions in Nigeria, and highlights several types of violence and conflicts linked to religion. Finally, Chapter 7 focuses on human rights issues related to secret societies (such as the Ogboni), university cults (violence, recruitment and the possible consequences of refusing such a cult), the occurrence of ritual killings, and chieftaincy succession issues.

Background
This report was written in the framework of the EASO Operating Plan to Italy, Measure ITA 5: “Professional development activities and study visits” ³ . Two COI specialists from Norway and The Netherlands were deployed to an EASO Asylum Support Team, to support the Italian COI unit in drafting a report on selected topics in Nigeria. The report was written in accordance with the EASO COI Report Methodology. It was reviewed by COI experts from Denmark, Portugal, the Republic of Slovenia and Switzerland in order to ensure the highest quality. The drafting of this report was finalised on 8 May 2017.

EASO will continue to produce such reports on important countries of origin and update them regularly in order to raise and harmonise COI standards in the EU and to further support the practical implementation of the Common European Asylum System.

Download Press Release [EN]
Download Report [EN]

Further information may be obtained from the European Asylum Support Office by contacting Mr Jean-Pierre Schembri at: jean-pierre.schembri@easo.europa.eu

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^{1 All reports are available via EASO’s website: https://www.easo.europa.eu/information-analysis/country-origin-information/country-reports
2 EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland.
3 EASO, EASO Operating Plan to Italy, 22 December 2016.}

“We live in a moment when security, fundamental freedoms and human rights are under attack in many parts of the globe. I know we are united, in Europe and in Africa, in mourning the victims of any terrorist attack as the one that took place in London yesterday night, or the ones in Mali and Niger just a few days ago. But it is not only the suffering that unites us, it is also our common determination to fight terrorism and prevent radicalisation. We are united in a global challenge that requires strong institutions and open societies.”

“The events in The Gambia have given us hope: that democracy can win, and it can win with peaceful means. It is a success story that still needs all our support, and you can count on the EU support, fully.”

“Just a few days ago, Europe and Africa came together to restate our support to the Paris agreement on climate change. I want to thank Moussa Faki and President Condé for their leadership. The people of this region experience climate change every day. When global temperatures increase by one degree, the desert advances into your villages. (…) The European Union will continue to implement the Paris agreement – because we care about our planet, (…) because it is an investment in our own security. And also because we care about this land, and we want to fight the instability that global warming is bringing to this part of the world. Again, we do it because we are reliable friends, and also because we know this is the right, the smart thing to do also for ourselves”.

“Si l’Afrique de l’Ouest est en mesure de libérer tout son potentiel, les avantages se feront sentir jusqu’en Europe. Votre force est notre force. “

“Les attaques de ces derniers jours à Tombouctou en sont la preuve : les terroristes cherchent à attaquer notre coopération et notre aide pour renforcer et soutenir les forces de sécurité du Mali. Mais cela ne marchera pas, cela ne marchera jamais. L’Union européenne continuera à appuyer le fonctionnement de l’Architecture Africaine pour la Paix et la Sécurité. Nous prévoyons également de soutenir l’émergence d’une force conjointe du  G5 Sahel  – un autre signe du rôle de la coopération régionale pour la sécurité commune.”

“Je voudrais aussi citer ce que Moussa Faki [Président de la Commission de l’Union Africaine] a dit au Parlement européen le mois dernier, et que je partage complètement : Il n’y a qu’une  seule  solution de long terme au phénomène de la migration irrégulière : c’est de “développer l’Afrique, et réinventer pour notre jeunesse un avenir  meilleur dans le continent.   Notre   partenariat trouve ici un champ, encore inexploité, d’une exceptionnelle communauté d’intérêts et d’avantages mutuels.”

“Ces derniers mois, nous avons déjà commencé à expérimenter une nouvelle approche, potentiellement une révolution, pour les investissements européens en Afrique. Je parle du Plan d’investissement extérieur européen.”

Link to whole speech:

https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/27444/discours-de-la-hrvp-federica-mogherini-au-sommet-de-la-communaut%C3%A9-%C3%A9conomique-des-%C3%A9tats_en

Madam President, 

Presidents, Prime Minister,

Excellencies, dear friends,

It is a pleasure and an honour for me to address your Summit for the first time and to be here in Liberia, the first of African republics, with the leaders of West African countries. This part of the world is a source of hope for Africa, and for the whole world.

We live in a moment when security, fundamental freedoms and human rights are under attack in many parts of the globe. I know we are united, in Europe and in Africa, in mourning the victims of any terrorist attack as the one that took place in London yesterday night, or the ones in Mali and Niger just a few days ago. But it is not only the suffering that unites us, it is also our common determination to fight terrorism and prevent radicalisation. We are united in a global challenge that requires strong institutions and open societies.

And democracy continues to spread here in West Africa. Free elections have become a common feature. Peaceful  transitions of power are not an exception anymore. Democracy has taken root in West Africa, among the people of West Africa.

Let   me   take   this opportunity to thank President Johnson Sirleaf – not only for her leadership inside this Community, indeed remarkable, and for   the   work   she   has   done to deepen our partnership. I would like to thank her for a lifetime commitment to democracy, to women’s rights, and to quality education for all. A commitment that brought her to  becoming the first elected woman Head of state in Africa, and to the Nobel Peace Prize.

But   despite the successes, we know that democracy  and freedom are never acquired once and for all. Just a few years ago, democracy seemed to be under threat   in   several parts of this region. But you have fought for your democracies – both as individual countries and as a community of States.

First of all, let me say how happy I am to meet my brother President Barrow again here today. The events in The Gambia have given us hope: that democracy can win, and it can win with peaceful means. It is a success story that still needs all our support, and you can count on the EU support, fully. The people of The Gambia stood up for their freedom, and their rights. And you, the leaders of this region, all of us, stood on their side: you didn’t leave your brothers and sisters alone. The power of regional solidarity, and cooperation proved to be incredibly strong.

The path might not always be easy, and in Guinea Bissau the situation today is not encouraging at all. The only path is a path of mediation – and I would like to thank President Alpha Condé and the ECOWAS presidency for their precious efforts. I know that some important decisions will be taken here today. I want you to know that the EU is ready to fully support and accompany your steps.

We Europeans believe that regional integration can be an incredibly powerful driver of peace. Your example here in West Africa demonstrates that what we have experienced in Europe is also valid in other parts of the world.

But  regional integration is not the only field where we see eye-to-eye. Just a few days ago, Europe and Africa came together to restate our support to the Paris agreement on climate change. I want to thank Moussa Faki and President Condé for their leadership. The people of this region experience climate change every day. When global temperatures increase by one degree, the desert advances into your villages. You can see climate change shaping your land, right here and now. We Europeans are not blind to what’s happening. The European Union will continue to implement the Paris agreement – because we care about our planet, not out of good intentions, but because it is an investment in our own security. And also because we care about this land, and we want to fight the instability that global warming is bringing to this part of the world. Again, we do it because we are reliable friends, and also because we know this is the right, the smart thing to do also for ourselves.

Car les conséquences sont mondiales, et dans notre cas, encore plus puisque nous sommes voisins.  Si l’Afrique de l’Ouest est instable, l’Europe sera affectée. Inversement, si l’Afrique de l’Ouest est en mesure de libérer tout son potentiel, les avantages se feront sentir jusqu’en Europe. Votre force est notre force. Je vois trois domaines, au delà du changement climatique, dans lesquels l’Afrique de l’Ouest et l’Union européenne ont un intérêt  particulièrement fort à coopérer, et à coopérer toujours plus étroitement : la sécurité,  la migration et la croissance économique

Tout d’abord, la sécurité. Je parlais de la Gambie,  un exemple de  «solution africaine et surtout régionale à  un problème africain et régional». Il est nécessaire de continuer sur cette voie, sans ruptures, accompagnant chaque étape   de votre voyage vers des   «solutions africaines » et régionales. C’est pourquoi je suis fière également du travail que nous faisons dans le Sahel,  en collaboration avec les   Nations Unies : je serai d’ailleurs cet après-midi et demain au Mali pour la rencontre que nous avons chaque année entre l’UE et les Ministres des Affaires étrangères des pays du G5 Sahel. Je rendrai aussi visite aux missions européennes de formation et de  conseil. Les attaques de ces derniers jours à Tombouctou en sont la preuve : les terroristes cherchent à attaquer notre coopération et notre aide pour renforcer et soutenir les forces de sécurité du Mali. Mais cela ne marchera pas, cela ne marchera jamais. L’Union européenne continuera à appuyer le fonctionnement de l’Architecture Africaine pour la Paix et la Sécurité. Nous prévoyons également de soutenir l’émergence d’une force Conjointe du  G5 Sahel  – un autre signe du rôle de la coopération régionale pour la sécurité commune.

Le deuxième exemple que je veux citer concerne notre travail commun sur la migration. La libre circulation des êtres humains est l’un des principes  fondateurs de la CEDEAO, tout comme de l’Union européenne. Nous faisons face à un défi commun : préserver cette liberté de mouvement, et éviter en même temps que les organisations criminelles, de trafiquants d’êtres humains, mais aussi éviter que tant de gens, femmes, hommes et enfants d’Afrique perdent leur vie en mer ou dans le désert. Pour éviter cela, nous devons travailler ensemble, avec intelligence et détermination, en partenariat.

Mais je voudrais aussi citer ce que mon frère Moussa Faki a dit au Parlement européen le mois dernier, et que je partage complètement : Il n’y a qu’une  seule  solution de long terme au phénomène de la migration irrégulière: c’est de “développer l’Afrique, et réinventer   pour   notre   jeunesse   un   avenir   meilleur dans   le   continent.   Notre   partenariat   trouve   ici   un champ,   encore   inexploité, d’une   exceptionnelle communauté d’intérêts et d’avantages mutuels.”

J’en viens alors   au   troisième domaine   de   notre   coopération, c’est-à-dire l’investissement et la croissance économique. Et je voudrais ici soutenir les remarques que le Président de la CEDEAO nous a adressées par rapport à notre accord de Partenariat Économique. Lors du sommet UE-Afrique à Abidjan en novembre – j’en profite pour remercier le Président Ouattara pour l’organisation de ce Sommet-, nous allons donner une forte impulsion à notre coopération économique entre l’UE et l’Afrique, avec un accent particulier sur les jeunes.

À cet égard, je serai ravie de rencontrer certains d’entre vous à Bruxelles ce mercredi, une présence importante pour accompagner l’UE dans l’adoption du nouveau Consensus européen pour le développement. Avec cette nouvelle politique, l’Union européenne continue à rester le partenaire indispensable pour la mise en œuvre de l’Agenda 2030, tout en répondant aux inquiétudes que vous m’avez tant exprimées sur la sécurité mais aussi sur les investissements.

Ces derniers mois, nous avons déjà commencé à expérimenter une nouvelle approche, potentiellement une révolution, pour les investissements européens en Afrique. Je parle du Plan d’investissement extérieur européen. Nous offrons aux entreprises privées européennes des motivations et des garanties pour investir en  Afrique, et en particulier dans les  zones les plus fragiles. Ce faisant, nous pouvons construire des solutions gagnant-gagnant, pour le développement des entreprises européennes et en même  temps les investissements et la création d’emplois ici en Afrique.

Cette nouvelle  approche  peut, notamment en Afrique de l’Ouest, apporter des résultats remarquables. Elle peut aider l’énorme potentiel africain à s’exprimer, surtout le potentiel de la jeunesse. Elle peut soutenir votre désir de croissance humaine, et votre passion pour la démocratie et la liberté.

Il est temps de penser non seulement à ce que nous pouvons faire ensemble, Europe et Afrique, comme voisins, partenaires et amis.

Merci beaucoup, obrigada , thank you.