Key points
- The United Nations International Organization for Migration has rescued over 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants since 2017.
- At least 30,000 returned migrants have received psychological, social, and economic integration support from the organization.
- The updates were disclosed on Monday in Lagos during a three-day capacity building workshop on migration reporting for journalists.
- The agency is actively sensitizing secondary school students to raise awareness and prevent illegal migration before they are brainwashed.
- The organization is collaborating with the National Commission for Refugees to develop a national referral mechanism for stranded individuals.
Main Story
The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it has rescued more than 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants and empowered at least 30,000 returnees since 2017.
Ms Fatima Adeyemi, IOM Project Assistant on Awareness Raising, disclosed this on Monday in Lagos during a three-day migration reporting workshop for journalists.
The training, organised for media practitioners, focused on ethical and data-driven migration reporting in Nigeria, with the aim of strengthening accurate and responsible coverage of migration issues.
Adeyemi said the organisation remained committed to addressing displacement challenges across the region and supporting safe migration pathways.
She explained that IOM works on facilitated migration and immigration management, while also promoting orderly and legal movement of people in collaboration with regional bodies such as ECOWAS.
According to her, the organisation continues to sensitise Nigerians on safe and legal migration routes to reduce irregular migration.
She added that IOM also engages with schools, including unity schools, military schools and border communities, to educate young people on the risks of illegal migration.
Adeyemi said the goal was to ensure that students receive accurate information before being exposed to misinformation or external influence that could encourage unsafe migration decisions.
She also noted that IOM works closely with the National Commission for Refugees to develop a national referral mechanism for stranded migrants.
She said the framework focuses on ensuring safe return, reintegration and improved support systems for returnees.
The Issues
- Securing safe transit and legal documentation for thousands of citizens left stranded along irregular migration routes.
- Financing and scaling up psychological, social, and economic integration support frameworks for thousands of incoming returnees.
- Overcoming low public awareness regarding verified migration resources, which leaves vulnerable populations exposed to illegal networks.
What’s Being Said
- Outlining the specific statistical milestones achieved under the agency’s primary intervention program over the last nine years, Fatima Adeyemi stated: “On migrant protection, the IOM has rescued over 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme since 2017.”
- Detailing the volume of beneficiaries who have successfully accessed post-return rehabilitation and livelihood assistance, Adeyemi noted: “So far, over 30,000 of those Nigerian returned migrants have received psychological, social and economic integration-related support.”
- Defining the foundational humanitarian objective directing the international body’s collaboration with domestic border and security teams, she said: “Now, as an organisation, our major mission is that we act with our partners to drive solutions to displacements, save lives, take people on the roads and make sure that they are passed through to regular evaluation.”
- Describing the localized operational mandates managed by the regional team to streamline entry and border processes, she explained: “Down south here, we focus more on facilitated migration and immigration management.”
- Highlighting the institutional partnership with sub-regional bodies to maintain regulatory compliance during cross-border transits, Adeyemi stated: “We also have free movements and migration where we work with entities such as ECOWAS to ensure that immigration issues are followed through legally,”
- Explaining the preventive strategy of deploying educational campaigns within vulnerable border communities and institutional schools, she remarked: “We are working with government secondary schools, including unity schools and military schools as well as schools close to borders to raise awareness on illegal migration. We want schoolchildren to be sensitised before they are brainwashed to migrate illegally. We are sensitising the children about how to properly migrate.”
What’s Next
- UN-IOM will advance its media sensitization drive by training more domestic journalists on ethical, data-driven migration reporting.
- The agency will continue expanding its awareness campaigns across border communities, military schools, and unity colleges.
- Technical teams from the IOM and the National Commission for Refugees will finalize the development of the national referral mechanism.
Bottom Line
To combat irregular migration and stabilize displaced populations, the UN-IOM has rescued over 67,000 stranded Nigerians and integrated 30,000 returnees since 2017, while partnering with the Ministry of Labour and the National Commission for Refugees to establish national referral networks and secondary school sensitization programs.
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