The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has described 2024 as a successful year toward the provision of essential technical support and enhancing migration governance architecture in Nigeria.
The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms Paola Pace, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said although the organisation overcame challenges in the past due to commitment to humanitarian cause, it would continue to support Nigeria to do much better.
“Our greatest success stories has been our ability to adapt quickly and continue our core mission of supporting vulnerable populations.
“This is amidst crises such as displacement resulting from the compounded effects of insecurity and natural disasters.
“This is a good example of how IOM’s emphasis on evidence-based policy making has a direct, positive impact on individuals.”
She reiterated that the organisation would continue to lead good data collection and analysis that informed wide range of interventions across the humanitarian-development and peace building nexus.
This, according to her, has been notable through data collection on the numbers of people affected by floods, which is instrumental for state governments to shape disaster response strategies.
Pace said, “Additionally, our Transhumance Tracking Tool (TTT) played a key role in resolving over 100 conflicts in northwest Nigeria, demonstrating the effectiveness of our integrated approach to conflict prevention and resolution.
“We have continued to support Nigeria protect people, including international migrants like Blessing, who returned from Libya in 2017 and received comprehensive support including mental-health and psychosocial support, business skills training and start-up kit to rebuild her life, despite traumatic situation she went through.
“As the UN Migration Organisation, 2024 is a successful year, in terms of providing essential technical support to Nigeria in enhancing its migration governance architecture.
“A significant milestone is the review of Nigeria’s National Migration Policy, a process that commenced in November 2022 and involved extensive consultations across the country’s six geopolitical zones.”
The head of mission described Nigeria as one of very few countries worldwide, to have revised a National Migration Policy after the adoption of Global Compact for Migration, commonly known as the GCM.
“It is poised to be model for other countries to emulate, as the review process unfolds.
“It can show the world what a comprehensive migration policy that takes into account, the core principles of the GCM (and also the Global Compact on Refugees and other relevant international migration law instruments) looks like.
“When applied alongside the robust national policies on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the Diaspora, this suite of policies will position Nigeria as a true leader in maximising the interplay between these interlinked issues.
“We also made significant progress through partnerships with both local and international organisations, which enabled us to provide comprehensive solutions that go beyond immediate relief, to achieve sustainable recovery and provide durable solutions.”
“As we look toward 2025, our plans focus on scaling response by leveraging technology, strengthening local partnerships and enhancing capacity to create long-term impact through education, job creation, and advocacy for legislative change,” she added.
