Yesterday, we connected donors live to seven locations across northern Nigeria, offering a firsthand look at IOM’s work in some of the most challenging and hard-to-reach areas. From humanitarian response to peacebuilding and durable solutions, the virtual visit brought together colleagues on the ground and our donor partners for meaningful conversations on the challenges, progress, and opportunities ahead. A valuable opportunity to bring the realities from the field directly to our partners and strengthen our shared commitment to communities in need.

Women are the backbone of cross-border trade in West Africa, yet many still face harassment, exploitation, and unclear border procedures. At #NES32, IOM's Regional Director, @LopezEkra, called on ECOWAS Member States to turn existing commitments and One-Stop Border Post initiatives into coordinated action that makes borders safer, faster, and more accessible for traders and businesses. #GrowthThatWorks #NESG

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.

For Courage, a young entrepreneur, having the skills but not the opportunity was one of her greatest challenges. After returning to Nigeria, she struggled to make ends meet, taking on small jobs while searching for a way forward. With support from IOM, she received a sewing and weaving machine that helped her start her fashion business. Today, her business has expanded, and she continues to dream bigger, confident that her best days are still ahead. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 2️⃣Days to go.

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.

For survivors of trafficking, access to support and justice can be life-changing. With the support of @DutchMFA, IOM has strengthened the capacity of members of the Edo Legal Hub to provide support to victims of trafficking and improve access to justice. Listen to Barrister Tony as he shares how collaboration is making a difference in Edo State. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 7⃣ 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.

Flooding along the River Benue has affected 32 villages in Agatu LGA, Benue State, including Oweto and Utugologwu. IOM joined Benue SEMA and the @nrcs_ng on a rapid needs assessment, which found that over 1,000 people across about 200 households have been affected. Homes, schools and churches have been flooded, two bridges are submerged, and many families are now drinking untreated water. With rice, maize and cassava farms under water, food supplies and incomes are also at risk. In response, IOM is mobilising relief items from its emergency stock, including mattresses, non-food item kits and mosquito nets, which will be handed over to Benue SEMA for distribution to affected families. IOM will keep working with government and humanitarian partners to support the response and strengthen flood preparedness in the area. #BenueFloods #IOMNigeria #UNMigration

When conflict forced Haliru Bala and his family to flee Doron Baga, finding safety became their most urgent need. For Haliru, having a secure place to live means his family can face each day with confidence, knowing they have protection from the elements and a place to call home. Thanks to IOM, Haliru's family found more than shelter. They found safety, stability, and a foundation on which to rebuild their lives. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 9⃣ Days to go.

Like thousands of migrants, Kenneth set out in search of opportunity. He sold everything he had, including his land and welding tools to fund his journey to Libya. But instead of the future he hoped for, he found himself stranded, vulnerable, and subjected to abuse. With support from IOM's Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme, Kenneth returned home to Nigeria and began rebuilding his life. Today, he is back to doing what he knows best, earning a living as a welder and rebuilding with dignity. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1️⃣3⃣ 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.

For many people, returning home does not mean returning to the life they left behind. Sometimes, it means facing the difficult work of beginning again. Nelson’s story is one of resilience, but also of possibility. After years away and an uncertain return, he found a way to rebuild. First by learning, then by starting a business, and gradually by creating stability for himself and his family through IOM’s support. More stories of resilience are coming your way. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 1️⃣6⃣ 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.

As a young student, Aahan believes that when migration is safe and well-managed, people can pursue their aspirations without leaving behind who they are. As a migrant himself, he has come to understand that starting a new chapter does not mean forgetting where you came from. He believes that our stories, memories, and experiences travel with us, helping us build something new wherever we go. Click on the link to read Aahan's view on migration 👇 🔗 nigeria.iom.int/stories-migr…

"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.

Paul crossed the Sahara Desert and journeyed through Morocco, Spain, France, and Switzerland in search of a better future. But the reality he encountered was far from what he had imagined. After three years, Paul returned to Nigeria with IOM's support and is rebuilding his life and looking ahead with renewed hope. Paul can once again dream big and is optimistic about venturing into large-scale production in the future. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 2⃣1⃣ Days to go.

A bigger harvest can mean much more than food on the table. For Danlami in Kano State, climate-smart agriculture training supported by IOM meant learning new ways to farm, growing more, earning more, and being able to keep her children in school. Danlami is one of the many people whose lives have been part of IOM’s journey in Nigeria over the past 25 years. As we count down to our 25th anniversary, we are sharing 25 of those lives and the stories of change, resilience, and hope behind them. #IOMNigeria25 #25Years25Lives 2⃣4⃣ days to go.