Over 3.7 million Nigerians displaced by conflict and climate shocks – IOM

More than 3.7 million Nigerians are currently living as internally displaced people due to conflict, violence and climate-related disasters, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed.

Sharon Dimanche, head of IOM mission in Nigeria, made the disclosure while delivering a goodwill message at the first Edo State Humanitarian Summit in Benin City on Thursday.

He said the growing displacement crisis has left countless families struggling to rebuild their lives with dignity, stressing that the humanitarian response must extend beyond emergency aid to restore hope and sustainable livelihoods.

Dimanche outlined IOM’s three-pronged strategy in Nigeria: saving lives and protecting people on the move, promoting durable solutions to displacement, and facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration.

He noted that the organization is providing life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable populations, while creating pathways to long-term recovery.

“Managing displacement is not enough,” Dimanche said.

“Nigeria must prioritize safe returns, local integration and building resilient communities where affected people can rebuild their futures.”

Highlighting the role of Edo State in migration management, he revealed that since IOM opened its office in Benin City in 2017, over 9,000 migrants from Edo State have returned home safely, while more than 8,000 people have received reintegration support to rebuild their livelihoods.

IOM has also assisted over 1,100 victims of human trafficking, providing protection, counseling and recovery services.

Furthermore, its migration information and work centers have guided thousands of young people towards safe migration, skills acquisition and employment opportunities.

Safe migration awareness campaigns have reached over three million people in Edo State.

Dimanche called for continued collaboration between governments, the United Nations, development partners, civil society and the private sector to effectively address displacement.

He reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to work with the Edo State Government to strengthen humanitarian systems and ensure that migration becomes a path to opportunity rather than a journey fraught with risk.

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