Our Regional Director, @LopezEkra met with Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, @DrBernardDoro, to discuss strengthening collaboration on humanitarian response, durable solutions for internally displaced persons and returnees, and moving from palliatives to sustainable pathways out of poverty. Discussions focused on the importance of stronger coordination between humanitarian action, social protection, development and peacebuilding, with government leadership at the centre. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build resilience, create jobs and provide lasting opportunities for vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

A journey that began with uncertainty became an opportunity to create impact. When Taiwo returned to Nigeria, she brought home more than experience. She brought a vision. With support from IOM, she rebuilt her recycling business, turning plastic waste into valuable products and creating opportunities for others. Today, Taiwo is turning waste into wealth and vision into impact. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 3⃣ Days to go.

Adamu has seen firsthand how access to water has made life much easier for residents of Railway Community, Maiduguri. For years, they had to walk long distances, spend hours in queues, and sometimes return home without water. Today, thanks to the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and IOM, that burden has eased, bringing comfort and peace of mind to countless households. “When you give someone water, you give them life.” - Adamu. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 8⃣ Days to go.

Today, Joyce is building a future on her own terms. Through her interior design and bag-making business, she has transformed challenges into opportunities and regained her independence. For the past 25 years, IOM has been supporting journeys of resilience, helping thousands of people rebuild their lives, restore hope, and create new opportunities for themselves and their communities. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1⃣0⃣ Days to go.

For Fatima Muhammed, access to clean water has done more than ease a daily burden. It has given her more time to learn, grow, and pursue her dreams. With more time for school and learning, Fatima is one step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor. When essential services are closer, opportunities are too. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1⃣2⃣ Days to go.

For someone who has survived human trafficking, being rescued is only the beginning. What happens next can change their life. Over the years, IOM Nigeria and @naptipnigeria have worked together to protect survivors, help them rebuild their lives and strengthen Nigeria’s response to human trafficking. But what has this partnership really meant for the people whose lives it has touched? Hear from the Director General of NAPTIP on what we have achieved together and why this partnership matters more than ever. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1️⃣4️⃣ Days to go.

Clement knows the dangers of irregular migration because he lived through them. After a difficult journey and his return to Nigeria, he decided to use his experience to help others avoid the same risks. Today, through IOM's community theatre initiative, Clement is sharing his story with young people, encouraging them to think carefully, understand the risks, and make informed decisions about migration. His journey may not have gone as planned, but his experience is now helping others make different choices. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1⃣5⃣ Days to go.

Ahmadu Giwa, a youth leader in Gongoshi, Mayo Belwa, Adamawa State, recalls a time when communities were divided by conflict. Through peacebuilding initiatives like sensitization campaigns, peace dialogues, and community engagement activities targeted at the youth, IOM and its partners helped rebuild trust among communities that had previously been torn apart by conflict. Today, Mayo Belwa is at peace. Ahmadu is grateful for what his community has achieved and remains hopeful for its future. The impact continues. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1⃣7⃣ Days to go.

"There were no toilets, we had to go to the bush to relieve ourselves" Hadiza remembers the fear and discomfort that came with living in a camp without proper sanitation facilities and how the experience left her daughter withdrawn and isolated. Today, things have changed; the toilets provided through the support of the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and IOM have become a symbol of dignity restored and hope. More stories to come. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 2⃣0⃣ Days to go.

“It's more than a job. It is my passion. It is my life." For @DimancheSh, IOM Nigeria's Chief of Mission, the meaning of IOM’s work comes down to something very human: knowing that someone, somewhere, is safer; that a family has hope again; and that a person who has lost everything can find a way to rebuild. That, in a nutshell, is what 25 years of IOM in Nigeria means. Not just programmes or numbers, but the people behind them. The families. The communities. The stories of resilience and new beginnings. #25Years25Lives #IOMNigeria25

The countdown has officially begun! As we celebrate 25 years of IOM #Nigeria🇳🇬, we're marking this milestone with a special campaign spotlighting 25 lives, 25 stories, and 25 years of impact. We begin this journey with a message from our Chief of Mission, @DimancheSh, reflecting on the people who have shaped our story over the years. Join us as we celebrate the lives behind the milestone.

Women in Jibia, #Katsina State, are taking peace into their own hands. After years of farmer-herder clashes that disrupted lives, destroyed livelihoods, and left families living in fear, women stepped forward to lead peace dialogues, rebuild trust, and bring their communities together. With support from the @EUinNigeria-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) programme, these women are showing what is possible when communities take the lead in building peace. This #InternationalDayofPeace, we celebrate the women turning dialogue into action and helping their communities find a path towards lasting peace.

"Sometimes, after waiting in line for hours, we still couldn't get water." For Falmata and many residents of GSS Camp in Damasak, accessing water meant long walks, endless queues, and the daily struggle to meet their basic needs. Limited access to water affected their daily life and contributed to the spread of illness across the camp. Today, through support from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF), IOM has helped improve access to clean water, strengthening the well-being of families and restoring dignity across the camp.

Strengthening partnerships for better migration reporting 🤝 Today in Abuja, we formalized a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to strengthen the quality of migration reporting across #Nigeria. With improved access to trusted data, expert insights, and the resources needed to tell migration stories responsibly and accurately, this collaboration will support journalists in delivering ethical and evidence-based reporting that shapes informed migration narratives and public discourse. Read more 🔗 bit.ly/4ctFyTr

A journey in search of greener pastures took an unexpected turn for Fakayode. After experiencing the harsh realities and risks of irregular migration, he found a pathway home through IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme. Now back home, Fakayode is optimistic about his future and can't wait to begin his new chapter, one filled with hope and new possibilities. #IOMNigeria #SafeMigration #Nigeria

Before humanitarian assistance reaches communities in need, there is a network of people working behind the scenes to make the response possible. Since 2017, IOM’s Humanitarian Hubs in #Borno State have provided accommodation and essential services, helping humanitarian responders remain present and operational, even in remote and challenging locations. Today, on #WorldHumanitarianDay, we celebrate the dedicated teams who work tirelessly, often away from the spotlight, to keep humanitarian operations moving and ensure assistance reaches communities where it is needed most.

Behind every humanitarian response are people who choose to show up. Today, we honour all the women and men who work tirelessly to protect dignity, provide assistance, and bring hope to people facing some of life’s most difficult moments. To every colleague working on the front lines and behind the scenes: we see you, we appreciate you, and we salute you🫡 Happy #WorldHumanitarianDay!

Human trafficking is no longer confined to borders, nowadays, it often starts with a single click, a direct message, or a too-good-to-be-true offer online. IOM Nigeria's chief @DimancheSh and @NLinNigeria's Ronald Sonnemans joined @ARISEtv for a chat about how trafficking has evolved into a digital-age crime and what's being done to protect victims. Watch the full interview here 👉 bit.ly/4hPVbrw

Five years ago, Joy returned to Nigeria with an uncertain future. Today, she is running her own business and building a new chapter filled with confidence, resilience, and hope. Her journey is one of 1,765 stories made possible through the @DutchMFA-funded COMPASS initiative, which has helped stranded migrants return home safely. Among them, 903 vulnerable returnees, including Joy, have gone on to receive tailored support to rebuild their lives with dignity. Over the past 5 years: ✅ 1,765 stranded migrants returned home safely✈️ ✅ 903 vulnerable returnees received support to rebuild their lives.