The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a Youth Advisory Board on Migration at UN House in Abuja to empower young Nigerians to shape policies on safe migration, human trafficking, and migration governance.

The board, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria, positions youth as key drivers of innovative solutions to the country’s migration challenges.

IOM has hailed the launch as a “game-changer,” noting that young voices will guide programs to ensure safe and dignified migration while tackling human trafficking.

Board members, selected from diverse backgrounds, will advise on policy and advocate for youth-informed strategies.

The initiative responds to Nigeria’s complex migration dynamics, with over 1.2 million Nigerians displaced internally in 2024 due to conflict and economic pressures, according to IOM data.

Nigeria’s history of migration, from post-independence labor movements to modern-day trafficking concerns, underscores the urgency of youth involvement.

The board’s launch echoes successful youth-led reforms in countries like Kenya, where young advocates have influenced migration policy, offering hope that Nigeria’s youth can drive lasting change amid ongoing economic and security challenges.