The International Organisation for Migration, IOM, has called for deeper collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth Development to
equip young Nigerians with skills for regional and international labour mobility.
The IOM made the call at the 2026 Ministerial Retreat of the Nigerian Ministry of Youth Development in Abuja.
The IOM Chief of Mission, Ms Sharon Demanche, represented by Aisha Dahiru said stronger cooperation could help connect Nigerian talent with emerging opportunities in regional and global labour markets.
Ms Demanche said, “Labour mobility in particular offers a strategic opportunity to connect Nigerian talent with demand in regional and global markets, enhance employability, address skills shortage and create pathways to decent work and transfer.”
She said the IOM was already collaborating with government institutions and other partners to strengthen the link between skills development and labour-market demand, including opportunities for safe labour mobility.
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The IOM Chief of Mission stressed the importance of safe and regular migration pathways, saying, “Our collective goal must be to ensure that Nigerians have real choices supported by relevant skills, access to opportunities, reliable information, safe and regular migration pathways when they choose to move.”
She said migration, when properly governed, could contribute to sustainable development by facilitating skills acquisition, innovation and economic growth through the transfer of knowledge, networks and resources.
The IOM Chief of Mission also called for greater use of opportunities offered through the United Nations, including youth programmes that could provide young Nigerians with opportunities within the region and globally.
“We would like to push the ministry to push for the agenda that Nigeria maximises the opportunity of the presence of the UN whereby opportunities can be created for young people in spaces like the YPP programmes within the region and globally.” Ms. Demanche explained.
She described herself as a beneficiary of migration opportunities, adding that young Nigerians should be supported to make informed choices about migration and contribute to national development.
Ms Demanche added that the IOM remained committed to supporting youth resilience, employability, entrepreneurship, skills development and safe and regular labour mobility pathways.
“The true measure of our success will not simply be the programme we implement, but whether more young Nigerians can see a credible pathway to the future they aspire to, whether at home or through safe and regular migration pathways,” she reiterated.
On his part, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, said the retreat was an opportunity for the ministry to review its work, identify areas requiring improvement and agree on practical steps to strengthen youth development outcomes.
The Minister said the ministry’s policies, programmes, spending and partnerships should ultimately demonstrate their impact on Nigerian youths.
“And the Ministry of Youth Development exists for one major reason, to serve the Nigerian youth,” the minister re-emphasised.
Mr Olawande called for stronger partnerships with government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders, stressing that Collaborations should deliver tangible benefits rather than simply produce meetings or agreements.
