Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has called for strengthened partnerships to tackle the economic fallout of climate-induced migration and displacement, even as the International Organization for Migration, IOM, praised Nigeria’s growing leadership in migration governance and disaster preparedness.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by IOM’s new Chief of Mission, Sharon Dimanche, to the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the urgent need for pragmatic, scalable, and inclusive strategies to mitigate the economic and humanitarian toll of forced migration and climate disruption.
“We cannot divorce the challenges of migration from climate-induced effects. Even the crises in the North-East, North-West and North-Central have direct links between poverty and violence. There is an incestuous relationship between ecology and economy in sub-Saharan Africa.”
The Vice President, who described migration as both a consequence and catalyst of economic instability, said Nigeria is looking to deepen its collaboration with the IOM and other development partners to unlock durable solutions.
“I urge you to support us in the North Central, so we can have a win-win, workable solution that fosters unity and brings progress to our people,” he said.
Shettima, a former Governor of conflict-impacted Borno State, lauded IOM’s interventions in displacement and humanitarian response but urged a scale-up in targeted investments for gender empowerment, land reclamation, and climate resilience.
“We should fight poverty, illiteracy, and gender disempowerment, not each other,” he said, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.: “We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.”
In her response, Dimanche commended Nigeria for its forward-thinking migration policies, describing the country as “one Africa wrapped into one country.”
“Since I came to Nigeria, what I have seen is remarkable. Every state is different. We are particularly impressed with the launch of the State Action Plan on Floods and the Framework for Anticipatory Action for Nigeria,” she noted.
The IOM Chief revealed plans to expand support in data-driven solutions, shelter, youth empowerment, and climate adaptation.
“As I take over office, we seek the government’s guidance on areas to focus. I would like to request a special initiative where we can co-work with your office and mobilize resources for more durable solutions to migration, youth empowerment, and climate resilience.”
With displacement affecting millions across Nigeria and costing the economy billions annually, both sides acknowledged that integrated investment in climate-smart migration governance is essential to long-term stability and economic growth.
