Abuja – The first ever Community Dialogue Manual on migration and human trafficking in Nigeria was reviewed on 17-18 January 2019 by IOM, government and civil society representatives. The manual aims at helping community leaders, influencers and other key stakeholders in Nigeria hold discussions between community members on dangers and risks of irregular migration, human trafficking and smuggling and at modifying peoples’ behaviours and perceptions to seek safer migration alternatives.

IOM is currently implementing an awareness raising campaign on irregular migration and human trafficking in Nigeria centered on communities. “The communities understand and speak the sociocultural, economic and psychological language of its people hence they are in a better position to educate their youth about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking,” said Lilian Nwanma Garuba, a representative from the Edo State Task Force against Human Trafficking.

The manual contains, among others, modules on key concepts related to trafficking in persons, how to identify similarities and differences between smuggling and human trafficking, push and pull factors of migration, stigma faced by returnees back home, and the role of their communities in the sustainability of their reintegration. It also encourages the community to act against irregular migration and human trafficking through concrete suggested action plans. The manual also presents case studies and interactive sessions to exemplify the lessons learned.

The community dialogues will be rolled out gradually in Edo and Delta States, in Southern Nigeria, with a pilot phase in partnership with local government agencies, youth groups and civil society partners.

Edo and Delta States are the major states of origin of Nigerian migrants, often victims of human trafficking, according to IOM data. The drivers include, among other things, an increasing unemployment rate in a primarily youthful population. For lack of alternatives, some Nigerian youths are coerced – through emotional abuse, juju curses (a spiritual tradition in Nigeria) and sometimes force – into leaving the country. When they return, they are often met with shame and rejection from their family members and peers.

“Modules covered in the manual will enable participants to have a better understanding of basic migration concepts as well as inform community members and stakeholders about irregular migration risks while promoting safe migration alternatives, social cohesion and behavioral change,” said Alex Cole, IOM Nigeria Project Support Officer. “It is hoped that the manual will be adopted as a national document in Nigeria and the dialogues will be sustained in the communities.”

The event gathered thirteen female and eight male participants from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Edo State Task Force as well as CSOs.

The Community Dialogues are funded through the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration, and target 200 000 thousand potential migrants across 200 communities in Nigeria. The Joint Initiative is implemented by IOM to support the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of vulnerable Nigerian migrants stranded across the Mediterranean migration routes.

For more information please contact Jorge Galindo at IOM Nigeria, Tel: +234 906 273 9168, Email: jgalindo@iom.int or Ikechukwu Attah, Tel: +234 9038891136, iattah@iom.int