The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the federal government and development partners have called for increased investment in migration governance to promote safe, orderly and regular migration while tackling irregular migration and human trafficking.
The call was made at the COMPASS@5 anniversary celebration in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed the achievements of the COMPASS programme over the past five years and outlined priorities for strengthening migration governance in Nigeria.
Launched in 2021, COMPASS is a multi-year, multi-regional initiative designed to improve migration governance through stronger institutions, enhanced stakeholder collaboration and coordinated efforts to combat irregular migration.
Speaking at the event, IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Ms. Sharon Dimanche, said migration has always been part of human history, but stressed the need to ensure it is managed in a way that is safe, orderly, regular and respectful of human dignity.
She commended the governments of Nigeria and the Netherlands for their continued support of the programme and reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to helping Nigeria build a more effective and inclusive migration management system.
“As we look to the future, our task is clear. We must continue to invest in stronger institutions, better protection, sustainable reintegration and safe migration pathways,” she said.
“The work is not finished, but the last five years have shown what is possible when we work together with a shared purpose. At IOM, we remain fully committed to supporting the government and people of Nigeria in building a migration system that is humane, inclusive and leaves no one behind.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting returning migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, while safeguarding vulnerable communities from the risks associated with irregular migration.
He noted that well-managed migration can contribute significantly to national development.
“Migration, when properly managed, presents opportunities for national development. We will continue to strengthen institutions, expand livelihood opportunities and ensure returning migrants are empowered to rebuild their lives with dignity,” he said.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, said sustained investment in the COMPASS programme would strengthen Nigeria’s migration institutions and enhance protection for vulnerable persons, particularly survivors of trafficking.
He said the initiative would also help prevent more people from falling victim to human traffickers.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the Director and Special Adviser on Administration, Erimfolami Ola; the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by the Head of Youth Migration and Climate Action Resilience, Adedoyin Oyekan; the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello; and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
