IOM Rescues 67,000 Nigerian Migrants and Supports 30,000 More

The United Nations International Organization for Migration (UN‑IOM) has rescued more than 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants and has supported at least 30,000 returnees since 2017.

Ms Fatima Adeyemi, IOM Project Assistant on Awareness Raising, shared this information at a three‑day migration reporting workshop held on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the journalists’ training was themed “From Headlines to Impact: A Capacity Building on Ethical and Data‑driven Migration Reporting in Nigeria.”

The event aimed to equip Nigerian journalists with the knowledge needed for responsible migration reporting.

Adeyemi said IOM is committed to finding solutions to displacement.

“On migrant protection, the IOM has rescued over 67,000 stranded Nigerian migrants through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme since 2017,” she said.

“So far, more than 30,000 of those returned migrants have received psychological, social and economic integration‑related support.”

“Now, as an organisation, our major mission is to work with partners to drive solutions to displacements, save lives, escort people on the roads and ensure they are passed through to regular evaluation.”

“Down south here, we focus more on facilitated migration and immigration management.”

“We also have free movements and migration programmes where we work with entities such as ECOWAS to ensure that immigration issues are handled legally,” Adeyemi added.

According to her, IOM is working to raise awareness among Nigerians about the proper ways to migrate.

“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.”

“In Nigeria, we have the Migration Resource Centre in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where we educate potential migrants and verify information about where they are going.”

“Not many people are aware of the services that IOM offers migrants, and that is where the media comes in to help increase this sensitisation drive,” she said.

She added that IOM is working with the National Commission for Refugees to develop a national referral mechanism for stranded migrants.

“If someone finds himself stranded, he should locate the IOM office or the Nigerian Embassy in that country.”

“We focus mainly on ensuring their safe return.”

“We will also try to improve integration of returned migrants,” she said. (NAN)