FG, IOM To Strengthen Ties In Tackling Irregular Migration
Nigeria is set to deepen its collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration in efforts to combat irregular migration, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, announced on Tuesday.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the IOM Deputy Director-General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels, to her office in Abuja, the minister emphasised that Nigeria’s large youth population is a significant factor driving migration pressures.
“With over 70 percent of our population under the age of 40, the demand for employment and better opportunities is intense. This demographic reality is a major driver of irregular migration,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said in a statement signed by her media aide, Magnus Eze.
She highlighted the central role of the Nigerian diaspora in the government’s foreign policy priorities, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s approach—known as the “4-Ds” (Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development)—positions diaspora engagement as a strategic pillar.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also called on IOM to support the promotion of positive narratives about migration and to help dispel myths around the so-called ‘greener pastures’ abroad, which often mislead young Nigerians into embarking on dangerous journeys.
Highlighting the contributions of millions of Nigerian migrants in diaspora, “the minister equally emphasised the need for IOM to promote positive narratives on migration,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said in the statement.
She commended IOM for its longstanding partnership with Nigeria, particularly in supporting vulnerable migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
The minister noted the Organisation’s recent response to the severe flooding in Niger State, which included the deployment of a rapid response team and the distribution of emergency shelter kits and non-food items to about 1,000 families.
While acknowledging the financial challenges facing the IOM, Odumegwu-Ojukwu encouraged the Organisation to align its programmes with Nigeria’s national priorities. She also urged IOM to explore alternative funding sources, including non-traditional donors.
She added that Nigeria is open to hosting international organisations or United Nations operations relocating from Geneva or New York, as part of the UN80 Reform Initiative.
Currently, IOM Nigeria is implementing a programme titled Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria, funded by the European Union.
The initiative supports the Nigerian government in addressing irregular migration, improving border management, enhancing migration data, and mobilising the diaspora.
In her remarks, IOM Deputy Director-General reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment to Nigeria, highlighting the extensive interventions already in place.
The statement said, Daniels said, “Nigeria was number one in returns as no fewer than 70,000 irregular migrants had been returned to the country by the IOM while about 27,000 were reintegrated in the society through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme.”
She stressed the IOM’s mission to promote humane and orderly migration and to support sustainable development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
However, she noted that Nigeria currently lacks voting rights in the IOM Council, urging the government to make the required asset contributions.
“We have a very comprehensive intervention in Nigeria. We count on your continued support for the work of IOM in Nigeria,” she said.