The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has urged governments, policymakers and Nigerians to see migration beyond statistics, stressing that every number represents real people, families and personal struggles.
The appeal was made by the Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, during a media engagement in Benin City.
Speaking during her first official visit to Edo State, Dimanche said she was impressed by the seriousness with which the state government is addressing migration and the well-being of its people.
She also disclosed that she paid a courtesy visit to the governor of the state, commending the administration for what she described as strong leadership on migration-related issues, particularly in supporting returnees, protecting vulnerable persons and creating opportunities for young people.
According to her, interactions with migrants and returnees during her visit reinforced the need to humanize migration discussions. She recounted meeting a young returnee at the ADP Fish Farm who initially believed her life had collapsed after returning to Nigeria following a difficult journey abroad.
Dimanche said the woman is now rebuilding her confidence and learning new skills to support her family again. She added that she also visited EdoJobs and the Vivian Sexual Assault Referral Centre, where she met women and young people receiving support to rebuild their lives.
The IOM Chief of Mission noted that experiences such as these highlight the reality behind migration figures and underscore the importance of sustained support for migrants and vulnerable populations.
Providing statistics on the organisation’s intervention in the state, Dimanche said since 2017 more than 9,000 migrants from Edo State have been supported to return home safely, while over 8,000 have received reintegration assistance to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
She further revealed that more than 1,100 victims of trafficking have been assisted, while over 5,000 people have received psychosocial support to help them recover from trauma.
Across Nigeria, she added, more than 60,300 migrants have returned with IOM’s assistance since 2017, many of them survivors of exploitation and abuse along dangerous migration routes.
Dimanche explained that IOM’s work in Nigeria focuses on three practical priorities. The first, she said, is saving lives during crises, noting that Nigeria currently hosts about 3.7 million internally displaced persons who have lost homes, livelihoods and family members due to conflict or disaster and require shelter, water, protection and other basic services.
She said the second priority involves helping migrants and displaced persons rebuild their lives and stabilise communities by providing access to jobs, skills and opportunities that enable them move forward with dignity.
The third priority, according to her, is the creation of safer and more regular migration pathways, stressing that many young people still embark on dangerous journeys because they believe there are no alternatives.
Dimanche maintained that migration, when properly managed, can bring enormous benefits to countries and communities but emphasized that achieving this requires strong partnerships among governments, communities, international organisations, donors and the private sector.
While acknowledging progress made in Edo State, she cautioned that significant challenges remain, noting that over 1,200 migrants continue to return to the state every year and that many unemployed young people remain vulnerable to trafficking and irregular migration.