The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) marked 25 years of operations in Nigeria, celebrating a partnership that has supported millions of people, strengthened national institutions and helped communities rebuild their lives.
In a special video message marking the milestone, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, congratulated IOM on 25 years of service and partnership with Nigeria, recognising its contributions to supporting displaced communities, protecting vulnerable populations and promoting safe and regular migration.
“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I warmly congratulate the International Organization for Migration on 25 years of service and partnership in Nigeria. Over the past quarter of a century, IOM has been a trusted partner, supporting communities affected by displacement, assisting vulnerable populations, promoting safe and regular migration, and helping build resilience across our great nation,” said the Vice President.
“Migration is not only a challenge to be managed; it is an opportunity to be harnessed. By embracing new skills development, expanding pathways for safe and regular mobility, and creating opportunities for our young people to contribute productively at home and abroad, we can unlock the full potential of migration as a driver of development. We must also continue to engage and empower our diaspora, whose skills, investments, innovations, and global networks are invaluable assets for Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.”
The anniversary celebration in Abuja was also attended by His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, Executive Governor of Borno State; Honourable Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of United Nations agencies, development partners and other national and international stakeholders.
At the event, IOM presented Migration Vision @25, developed with the Government of Nigeria and partners to guide migration cooperation over the next quarter-century. The vision comes as Nigeria’s large and youthful population makes access to skills, jobs and safe migration pathways increasingly important to the country’s development ambitions.
Nigeria’s migration landscape continues to be shaped by conflict and insecurity, climate-related disasters, environmental degradation and economic pressures. These challenges have contributed to displacement and increased vulnerabilities in affected communities, while irregular migration can expose people to exploitation and other protection risks. At the same time, Nigeria’s rapidly growing and predominantly youthful population presents opportunities to harness migration for skills development, labour mobility and economic growth. Ensuring that migration is safe, orderly and regular, while expanding opportunities for young people and supporting displaced populations to rebuild their lives, remains central to the country’s migration and development priorities.
Since 2014, IOM has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 2.5 million people, supported nearly 500,000 displaced people with shelter, helped more than 737,000 people gain access to safe drinking water and facilitated the safe and voluntary return home of over 72,000 Nigerian migrants.
The partnership has also focused on helping people regain livelihoods and communities strengthen their economic foundations. IOM-supported economic recovery initiatives have generated or restored more than 75,000 jobs through skills development and start-up support, strengthened more than 2,150 small businesses, and trained more than 12,700 people in skills linked to market demand.
Working with the Government, IOM has also supported six major national migration policies and frameworks and helped strengthen border management systems at 33 locations across the country.
“Nigeria has an opportunity to help shape the future of human mobility across West and Central Africa”, said Sylvia Ekra, IOM’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “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 and where migration opens opportunities for individuals, communities and economies alike. IOM is proud to be a longstanding partner of Nigeria and the region and will continue to partner with all actors to ensure no one is left behind”.
Reflecting on IOM’s journey, Chief of Mission Sharon Dimanche said the anniversary was as much about the people of Nigeria as it was about the organization’s achievements.
“Twenty-five years ago, IOM began its journey in Nigeria with just two staff members working from a small office in Lagos. Today, our work reaches across the country, but the real story is not how much IOM has grown. It is the millions of lives touched through this partnership and the extraordinary resilience of the Nigerian people. When we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2051, the children born today will be 25 years old. Our ambition is to help create a future where fewer people are forced into vulnerability and more people have the opportunity to thrive.”
The Migration Vision @25, anchored in three pillars, Mobility, Opportunity and Resilience, envisages Nigeria as a leading African hub for safe and productive migration, a globally competitive source of skills and talent, and a country where migration contributes more directly to economic growth and national development.
The vision also calls for stronger migrant protection, expanded regular migration pathways, greater diaspora engagement, sustainable reintegration and lasting solutions for displacement-affected communities.
As IOM enters its next quarter century in Nigeria, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government and partners to save lives, strengthen institutions, build resilient communities and harness migration as a driver of national and regional prosperity.