The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has called for better protection of migrants for sustained economic growth and development.
IOM Chief of Mission, Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, stated this at a workshop on the validation of the National Migration Policy and Integrated Implementation Plan themed ‘Strengthening Fact-Base and Data Driven Migration Governance and Management in Nigeria’, organized by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFMI) and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund yesterday in Abuja.
She said, “In Nigeria, with over 216 million people, both internal and international migration are growing in complexity, driven by economic aspirations, environmental challenges, insecurity, and the desire for social mobility. We see this in the increase of rural-to-urban migration, the rise of the ‘Japa’ phenomenon, and the waves of conflict, as well as climate-induced displacement.
“We also see it in the ever-growing volume of remittances, which in 2023 amounted to a staggering USD 19.5 billion; money that sustains families and contributes to the country’s development.”
Calling for safe, orderly, and regular migration, Dimanche stressed that data revealed that Nigeria is not just a country of origin for migrants; it is a key destination and transit hub for a growing number of West Africans, and these complex dynamics highlight the critical need for comprehensive and forward-thinking migration governance.
She adds that two documents being reviewed and validated—the Revised National Migration Policy and its Integrated Implementation Plan (IIP), and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM), as well as the Migration Policy Framework for Africa and the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol—reflect a careful alignment with global frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This policy is not just a theoretical framework. It has been shaped by data, including findings from Nigeria’s Voluntary GCM Reviews, the Migration Governance Indicators, and national assessments.
“It addresses emerging migration priorities in Nigeria, namely the importance of investment in migration data governance, the opportunities to be harnessed in labor migration and the Nigerian diaspora, and the imperative of bolstering protection for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrants in transit, women, children, victims of trafficking, as well as persons with disabilities.
“This policy is more than just a framework; it is a call to action,” she adds.
Further highlighting the importance of the exercise, Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Tijani Ahmed, said migration has continued to present nations with a number of challenges, even as it holds immense benefits for nations.
According to him, “Migration, in its evolving and multifaceted nature, continues to sit prominently at the heart of development discussions globally, regionally, and nationally.
“The dynamism of migration, shaped by economic shifts, social transformation, conflicts, and major global events, demands a responsive, forward-looking, and comprehensive policy framework.
He adds that stakeholders must continue to adapt and strengthen national strategies toward harnessing the opportunities migration offers while mitigating the challenges.
Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Erewa, observed that Nigeria’s foreign remittances have continued to grow in the last few years as more migrants bring home the benefits.
She said that, “As a commission, our role is to get the best out of our Diaspora and reduce irregular migration.
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