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More than 3.7 million people are currently displaced across Nigeria due to conflict, violence and climate-related shocks such as flooding and environmental pressures, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said.
The organisation’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, disclosed this while delivering a goodwill message at the First Edo State Humanitarian Summit in Benin City.
Dimanche said the rising displacement figures represent families struggling to rebuild their lives, stressing that humanitarian efforts must go beyond emergency response to restoring hope and opportunities for affected communities.
She explained that the IOM’s work in Nigeria is guided by three key priorities: saving lives and protecting people on the move, promoting durable solutions to displacement, and facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration.
According to her, the organisation is supporting vulnerable populations displaced by conflict and climate shocks with life-saving assistance, protection and recovery programmes.
Dimanche added that Nigeria must move beyond simply managing displacement and focus on long-term solutions, including safe return, local integration and the creation of resilient communities where displaced persons can rebuild their lives.
She also stated Edo State’s role in Nigeria’s migration landscape, noting that IOM has partnered with the state government since establishing its presence in Benin City in 2017.
Through the partnership, she said, the organisation has helped more than 9,000 migrants from Edo State return home safely, while over 8,000 others have received reintegration support to rebuild their livelihoods.
Dimanche also disclosed that the IOM has assisted more than 1,100 victims of human trafficking with protection, counselling and recovery services.
She added that Migration Information and Job Centres supported by the organisation are providing young people in the state with guidance on safe migration, skills development and employment opportunities.
According to her, awareness campaigns on safe migration have reached more than three million people across Edo State, helping communities better understand the risks and opportunities associated with migration.
Dimanche stressed that tackling displacement and vulnerability requires sustained collaboration among governments, the United Nations system, development partners, civil society groups and the private sector.
