By Chukwudi Obasi
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has marked 25 years of operations in Nigeria, highlighting its role in supporting displaced populations, strengthening institutions and promoting safer migration.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a message marking the anniversary, commended the organisation for its longstanding partnership with the Nigerian government and support for vulnerable communities.
“Migration is not only a challenge to be managed; it is an opportunity to be harnessed,” Shettima said, calling for greater investment in skills and safe migration pathways.
He also urged stronger engagement with the Nigerian diaspora, whose skills, investments, innovations and international networks, he said, could contribute significantly to national development.
The anniversary event in Abuja attracted Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Bernard Doro, diplomats, UN agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
At the event, IOM unveiled Migration Vision @25, developed with the Federal Government and partners to provide a framework for migration cooperation over the next 25 years.
The framework identifies mobility, opportunity and resilience as its three pillars, with emphasis on safe migration, skills development, migrant protection, diaspora engagement and durable solutions to displacement.
IOM said Nigeria’s migration environment is being shaped by insecurity, climate-related disasters, environmental degradation and economic pressures, which continue to drive displacement and increase vulnerabilities.
At the same time, the organisation said Nigeria’s youthful population presents opportunities to leverage migration for skills development, labour mobility and economic growth.
Since 2014, IOM said it has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 2.5 million people and supported nearly 500,000 displaced persons with shelter.
The organisation also reported facilitating access to safe drinking water for more than 737,000 people and supporting the voluntary return of over 72,000 Nigerian migrants.
Its economic recovery programmes have generated or restored more than 75,000 jobs through skills development and start-up support, while over 2,150 small businesses have received assistance.
More than 12,700 people have also undergone skills training linked to market demand, according to the organisation.
IOM said its partnership with the government had contributed to six major national migration policies and frameworks and strengthened border management systems at 33 locations nationwide.
IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Sylvia Ekra, said Nigeria could play a major role in shaping the future of migration across the region.
“By investing in skills, expanding safe and regular pathways, and strengthening cooperation between countries, we can create a region where people are able to move with dignity,” Ekra said.
IOM Chief of Mission, Sharon Dimanche, said the anniversary ultimately reflected the resilience of Nigerians and the impact of partnerships built over the organisation’s 25 years in the country.
She recalled that IOM began operations in Nigeria with two staff members in a small Lagos office, but has since expanded its reach across the country.
The organisation said its next phase would focus on strengthening institutions, protecting migrants, building resilient communities and ensuring migration contributes more directly to Nigeria’s development.
