International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization with 125 Member States and 90 Observers including 16 States and 74 global and regional IGOs and NGOs. The purposes and functions of the Organization are enshrined in Article 1 of its Constitution.

The FGN/IOM Cooperation in Nigeria: IOM signed a Cooperation Agreement with Nigeria in 2002. The Country mandate is: migration programmes such as capacity building, advisory services and technical assistance on migration matters, migration health and information, combating human trafficking, migration of nationals and aliens, assistance to internally and externally displaced persons and other persons in need, return of qualified human resources and other assisted returns activities.

Assisted Voluntary Return and socio economic reintegration: The organization, in coordination with destination countries and Nigeria, assist the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian migrants and their reintegration through the implementation of reintegration grants. Assistance can include specific country information as relevant to individual returnees.

Family Reunification: The organization in coordination with member states, assist family reunification of Nigerian nationals residing abroad. Assistance is also provided to assess or trace families of unaccompanied minors.

Refugee Resettlement: The organization in coordination with UNHCR and destination countries provides operational services for the resettlement of refugees.

Document verification: The organization provides document verification services for New zeland.

Trafficking in Persons: The organization builds the capacity of national authorities and local NGOs to deliver assistance and protection services benefitting victims of trafficking in persons. The program also assists the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of trafficked persons from destination countries.

Technical Cooperation: The Organization works with the Nigeria Immigration Service to enhance service delivery to enhance border control capacity, document fraud detection, and centralized training capacity.

Mass Information Campaign on the Dangers associated to irregular migration

The Organization is assisting Nigeria to sensitize the population on the dangers of irregular migration and existing alternatives to irregular migration in the country.

Migrants Health: The Organization implements social mobilization activities for migrant and Mobile populations on Avian Influenza. Advocacy visit to nomads at Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, Gwagwalada, Abuja

Labour Migration: The Organization implements a regional labour migration programme in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and the interministerial working group.