More Than 67,000 Nigerians Assisted Home Since 2017, Says IOM

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says it has assisted more than 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants to return home safely since 2017 under its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme.

The disclosure was made on Monday in Lagos by Fatima Adeyemi, Project Assistant for Awareness Raising at the United Nations migration agency, during a three-day capacity-building workshop for journalists on migration reporting.

The training, themed “From Headlines to Impact: A Capacity Building on Ethical and Data-Driven Migration Reporting in Nigeria,” was designed to strengthen journalists’ understanding of migration issues and improve the quality of reporting on migration trends and challenges.

According to Adeyemi, over 30,000 of the returnees have also benefited from psychological, social and economic reintegration support aimed at helping them rebuild their lives after returning to Nigeria.

She explained that the organisation remains focused on protecting migrants, reducing unsafe migration routes and creating awareness about legal migration pathways.

Adeyemi noted that IOM works closely with governments, international partners and regional institutions, including Economic Community of West African States, to ensure migration processes comply with established legal frameworks. 

She revealed that the agency has expanded its awareness campaigns to schools across Nigeria, particularly unity schools, military schools and institutions located near border communities.

According to her, the initiative seeks to educate young people about the dangers of irregular migration and equip them with accurate information before they become vulnerable to trafficking networks and false promises by smugglers.

She also highlighted the role of the Migration Resource Centre located within the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, describing it as a platform where prospective migrants can obtain verified information and guidance before traveling abroad.

Adeyemi urged journalists to play a more active role in public sensitisation by amplifying information about safe migration options and support systems available to migrants.

She further disclosed that the organisation is collaborating with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons to develop a national referral framework for stranded migrants requiring assistance abroad.