IOM Applauds Nigerian Govt, NCFRMI’s Commitment to Strengthening Migration Management

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has applauded the Federal Government and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) for their commitment to strengthening migration management in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

IOM’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche made the remarks while welcoming participants to the meeting on Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) ahead of the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

The event which was held between February 17 and 21 at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, had other international donors, members of the civil society, federal and state government agencies among others in attendance.

Addressing the participants, Dimanche also acknowledged “the support of our partners, especially the European Union and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMPTF), whose continued investment is enabling inclusive dialogue, stronger coordination, and practical progress across key areas of migration governance in Nigeria.”

She noted that Nigeria has long demonstrated leadership as a champion country of the GCM, adding that “this is reflected in important national milestones, including the validation of the revised National Migration Policy, the development of the integrated National Implementation Plan, and successive voluntary reviews, both the 2022 voluntary review and the 2024 national GCM review. These efforts underscore Nigeria’s strong ownership of the GCM framework and its whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach.

“As we stand on the threshold of the 2026 IMRF, scheduled for May, today’s meeting comes at a pivotal moment. Globally, the UN Network on Migration has outlined a clear IMRF roadmap, including timelines for voluntary national reports, guidance for roundtable inputs, and opportunities to strengthen multi-stakeholder engagement.”

At country level, she said “this meeting is an essential platform to coordinate our preparations: to reflect on achievements since the last IMRF cycle; to assess progress on GCM-related indicators and priorities; and to identify the actions needed for Nigeria’s effective representation at the Forum.”

Continuing, Dimanche said “our task at this engagement is threefold: To jointly undertake Nigeria’s voluntary national review on the GCM, being conducted during this VNR Workshop in Lagos. This workshop constitutes Nigeria’s formal national review process ahead of the IMRF, bringing together government ministries, UN agencies, civil society, and key stakeholders to assess progress since the 2022 voluntary review and the 2024 national GCM review. Through plenary discussions and structured breakout sessions co-led by relevant Government MDAs and UN entities, we will validate evidence, document good practices, identify persistent challenges, and agree on renewed commitments that will inform Nigeria’s inputs to the IMRF roundtables and the overall national position for the Forum.

“To ensure a shared understanding of Nigeria’s IMRF 2026 timeline and entry points for coordinated UN support, including key milestones such as finalizing the voluntary national review/report, articulating renewed pledges, and developing Nigeria’s contributions to the IMRF roundtables.

“To strengthen coordination across government, UNNM entities, civil society, and development partners, recognizing that effective engagement at the IMRF requires not only technical preparation, but also coherent messaging, clarity of institutional roles, and harmonized support.”

She emphasized that Nigeria’s participation in IMRF 2026 is not merely a reporting exercise. “It is an opportunity to showcase national innovations, elevate strategic priorities, and contribute to shaping the global migration agenda. It is also an opportunity to renew pledges grounded in evidence, and to advocate for strengthened partnerships and resources to address multidimensional migration challenges—from data and evidence generation, to protection, labour mobility, migration and development, and governance.

“The IOM Nigeria Mission remains fully committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria and the UN Network on Migration to ensure that Nigeria approaches the IMRF with a unified voice, solid evidence, and clear priorities. With your expertise and collective dedication, and with the valued support of partners and our generous donors, the MMPTF and the European Union, I am confident that our deliberations will yield actionable outcomes, strengthened coordination, and a clear roadmap toward both the VNR process and effective participation at the IMRF.”