The Activities of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria: A Discourse

Abstract

The issue of migration has remained a very sensitive aspect of governance and policy-making of a state. This is because of its multi-faceted impacts or implications on states that are involved (both originating and destination states). There are security, economic and humanitarian aspects of migration that if not well handled can cause international stir that may strain relationships between states in the international system. Irregular migration trends can also lead to humanitarian situation of catastrophic proportions. This makes it expedient to ensure the mitigation of irregular migration patterns by both state and non-state actors and this is where the activities of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) comes to the fore. IOM is based in Nigeria, both in Lagos and Abuja, and is implementing activities in the fields of labour migration, assisted voluntary returns, border management, capacity-building and migration health. Indeed, the IOM has performed credibly in Nigeria, where its activities are considered highly needed considering the high rate of migration patterns in the country (both regular and irregular).This feat is largely unsung in the academia, hence the need for this paper. Employing the historical research method, which is based on qualitative analysis, the paper finds that the IOM has contributed to the regulation of migration patterns in the country, returned and resettled migrants who had the need to return but could not facilitate it and also empowered the returnees to ensure productive lifestyle as they resettled. The IOM has also contributed significantly to the relief of people in distressed zone of the country, particularly the North-East. It has also supported the country in the fight against the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and has equally waded into the farmers and herders conflicts which have led to irregular migration patterns with the concomitant humanitarian situations. The organisation also encourages research on ways to minimise irregular migration in Nigeria and also tackle the security and humanitarian issues that emanate from the situation in the country. This paper adopts the theory of humanitarianism to establish the background that informs the purpose of the IOM in Nigeria.