Abuja - IOM Nigeria marks the 2022 International Migrants Day (IMD). 

IMD is a day set aside by the United Nations to reflect on the role of migrants in our societies, their positive contributions, and the challenges they face in achieving their full potentials and capabilities. It is also an opportunity to promote an informed and balanced conversation on migration and to share the stories, experiences, and aspirations of migrants in their communities. 

IOM has assisted millions of migrants since it emerged 70 years ago and continues to lead the way in promoting the orderly and humane management of migration. 

Between 2017 and 2020, more than 159,000 individuals from West and Central Africa arrived irregularly to Europe by sea and land. Nigeria as a country of origin, transit and destination, counts among the countries with the highest number of victims of TiP and smuggling in the region.  

Since April 2017, IOM Nigeria has assisted the return of over 29,000 Nigerian migrants from 82 countries. Out of this number, more than 3,600 are victims of trafficking and 1,726 VoTs have received in-kind support to start businesses of their choice.  

 Every year, people around the world face the devastating impacts of conflicts, diseases, disasters, and climate change that force them to migrate. Climate change is forcing millions to move within their affected countries. Climate change adaptation measures, action and resources are important if we are to avert and minimize displacement and strengthen people’s resilience through integrated human rights-based approaches for migration management.  

Earlier in the month, on 8/12 the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) organized a National Migration Dialogue in collaboration with IOM and relevant partners to raise awareness on migration, trafficking in person, displacement, mobilize political will and resources to address these challenges, as well as celebrate and reinforce the progress made towards migration issues. The theme of this year’s dialogue is: “Accelerating climate adaptation in displacement and human mobility” highlighting the increasing impact of climate change on migration as a major factor responsible for human mobility and displacements here in Nigeria.  

“Nigeria is currently reeling from the effects of its worst floods in 10 years, which has displaced many families, affecting 33 out of the 36 states of the federation and resulting in millions of internally displaced persons in Nigeria.  IOM has been active in providing support that will reach approximately 300,000 affected persons” said Laurent De Boeck, IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission. This is in addition to what IOM is already doing to strengthen resilience and operational capacities of communities affected by climate-based displacement. 

On International Migrants Day, we reiterate IOM’s commitment to providing the needed technical support for the implementation of migration-related programs and projects in Nigeria. 

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For further information please contact:  

IOM Nigeria:        iomnigeria@iom.int   

Mariam Owoeye: mowoeye@iom.int