Nigeria and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have renewed their commitment to promoting safe, orderly and regular migration, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, reduce poverty and support sustainable development.
This was the focus of an event in Abuja marking 25 years of IOM’s partnership and operations in Nigeria, with speakers highlighting its contributions to migration governance, humanitarian response, migrant protection, displacement tracking, return and reintegration.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Anthony Nnamdi Alonwu said migration remained a defining feature of human society that could contribute significantly to national development when properly managed.
He called for the implementation of Nigeria’s National Migration Policy and the Global Compact for Migration, alongside stronger collaboration across all levels of government.
“We must therefore acknowledge human mobility as a permanent feature in our society which can address inequalities, provide options for individuals and their families,” he said.
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He stressed the need to integrate migration into national planning and establish safer legal pathways while protecting migrants from trafficking, exploitation and dangerous journeys.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, represented by UNDP Nigeria Country Director Elsie Attafuah, said Nigeria’s ability to harness its demographic dividend depended on investment in youth skills, education, health and decent employment.
“Nigeria’s large youth population presents a significant opportunity for economic growth if supported by adequate investment in health, education, relevant skills and inclusive employment opportunities.
“Realising Nigeria’s demographic dividend will depend on the investment we make in its people and the opportunities we help them reach. Safe, regular, and well-governed mobility can play a vital role in that promise,” he said.
Stronger Regional Economic Integration
Fall also called for the recognition of qualifications across borders, fair recruitment and stronger regional economic integration to expand opportunities for Nigerian workers and entrepreneurs.
“Above all, people should have meaningful choices about their futures whether they choose to stay, move, or return. Their rights and dignity must remain central wherever their journey takes them,” he stated.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, commended IOM for its contributions to migration governance, humanitarian response, protection and reintegration, describing the partnership as instrumental in strengthening Nigeria’s institutional capacity.
“25 years is much more than an anniversary. It is the story of a relationship that has grown alongside Nigeria through challenges in migration patterns, humanitarian crisis, and development realities,” he said.
Dr Doro, disclosed that the revised National Migration Policy and its implementation plan were approved on August 19, 2026, emphasising clear responsibilities, measurable outcomes and reliable migration data for effective planning and reintegration.
“The government’s responsibility must extend beyond bringing migrants home to providing them with opportunities for sustainable reintegration. The critical question is not how we bring our people home. It is what happens to them after they arrive,” he said.
IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region, Sharon Dimanche, described the organisation’s 25-year journey as one of growth, stronger partnerships and significant humanitarian impact.
“According to her, IOM has grown from a small operation that began in Lagos in 2001 with two staff members and limited office facilities into one of the largest UN agency operations in Nigeria and one of IOM’s largest operations globally.
“For me, the greatest and biggest achievement is the trust. The trust with the Government of Nigeria, the trust with the people of Nigeria, the communities that we serve and the very vulnerable migrants. This is primarily because our work places people at the centre of everything that we are doing,” she said.
Challenges Ahead
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, the IOM chief said the growing gap between humanitarian needs and available resources threatened the ability of organisations to respond adequately to increasingly complex migration, looking for other opportunities.
Dimanche stressed that adequate funding must be matched by stronger ownership from governments and communities, expressing confidence that Nigeria would continue to take the lead in shaping its migration policies and programmes
“Investing in young people’s skills, creating safe migration pathways and enabling Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to national development would be critical to maximising the country’s demographic potential,” she noted.
Speaking on behalf of governors in the North-East, Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum urged IOM to prioritise sustainable, long-term solutions to displacement rather than relying mainly on short-term humanitarian assistance.
He acknowledged the organisation’s support for millions of people affected by insurgency and terrorism since 2009, but called for a shift towards durable solutions.
“There is no humanitarian solution to our humanitarian crisis. Therefore, we want IOM to shift its focus largely from shorter-term, non-sustainable solutions to medium- and longer-term sustainable and durable solutions,” he said.
Representatives of the European Union, and other partnering agencies, emphasised the need for stronger migration policies, expanded legal migration pathways, investment in youth skills and protection of migrants’ rights.
The anniversary underscored the need to translate migration policies into practical action through stronger institutions, reliable data, safer migration pathways and sustainable reintegration programmes.
