In a sobering address during the launch of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Nigeria Strategic Plan (2025–2027) on Tuesday night in Abuja, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), issued a stark warning: as of August 21, 2025, approximately 7,000 Nigerian migrants remain stranded in Libya, enduring perilous conditions across the desert.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed deep frustration, lamenting, “In 2025, people will still travel through the desert to die,” underscoring the continuing tragedy of irregular migration despite years of advocacy and rescue efforts.
Calling for urgent collaboration, she urged stakeholders—government agencies, international partners, and civil society—to intensify efforts to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and to proactively offer safer, legal alternatives for young Nigerians chasing opportunities abroad.
In her remarks, the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, highlighted that the newly launched plan is not merely an IOM initiative but "Nigeria’s strategy supported by IOM," emphasizing that it was developed through inclusive, nationally driven consultations. She appealed for collective ownership and promised accountability, urging: “When we sit down three years, five years from now, we can hold each other accountable.”
Context & Implications
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Why this matters: Libya has remained a perilous transit point for Nigerian migrants en route to Europe. The enduring figure of 7,000 stranded individuals reflects mounting humanitarian urgency and highlights how longstanding challenges—limited safe migration pathways, economic hardship, and misinformation—continue to drive dangerous journeys.
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Strategic significance: The IOM’s Nigeria Strategic Plan (2025–2027), now officially inaugurated, offers a structured framework for addressing migration across Nigerian-led priorities. The emphasis on ownership and inclusive design signals a shift toward sustainable, cross-sectoral cooperation.
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What’s at stake: Without immediate coordinated action, more lives could be lost in the Sahara. The dual approach—rescuing those stranded and preventing future migration through safer pathways—must be executed swiftly to stem ongoing human suffering.
Suggested Reporting Leads
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Human angle: Include stories of returnees or stranded migrants to personalize the figures and highlight urgency.
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Response mapping: Report statements or action plans from the Nigerian government, federal ministries, and relevant agencies (e.g., Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Foreign Affairs, MDAs) in response to NiDCOM’s call.
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Plan in action: Investigate how IOM and partners intend to operationalize the plan—funding mechanisms, community outreach, reintegration support, public awareness campaigns.
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Historical perspective: Reflect on past efforts—such as the repatriation of 70,000 irregular migrants and AVRR reintegration of 27,000 Nigerians—to assess progress and gaps.