For many Nigerians, the dream of a better life abroad has become so compelling that they are willing to risk everything to pursue it, sometimes through dangerous and irregular routes. But behind the images of success often shared on social media lie stories of exploitation, trafficking, trauma, debt and, tragically, death. In this interview with Michael Olugbode, International Organisation for Migration’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Dimanche Sharon, warns Nigerians against gambling with their lives, urging them to pursue opportunities abroad only through safe, orderly and regular migration pathways I rregular migration is often discussed in terms of numbers and statistics. From your experience, what does the human cost of irregular migration actually look like for migrants and their families? Every statistic has a name. It has a face. And behind every face is an individual—a woman, a man, a child and a family. Irregular migration is, above all, a human story. People migrate with hope and aspirations. They want to find decent work, pursue education, improve their livelihoods and build a better future for themselves and their families. Unfortunately, too often, many people who embark on these journeys end up experiencing exploitation, and the reality they meet is very different from the dreams they had before leaving home. Many face human trafficking, violence, detention, family separation and, in some cases, death. The human cost is not only measured by lives lost; it is also measured by dreams that have been interrupted and opportunities that have disappeared. Some people spend years saving money for these journeys. Others sell their homes, land or other valuable possessions to finance their migration. Sadly, many eventually return home with nothing, carrying huge debts and struggling to know where to begin rebuilding their lives. Families also suffer greatly. In many cases, relatives are left waiting for answers about their loved ones who are travelling through irregular routes. They may not know where they are, what they are experiencing or whether they are safe. Recently, during activities marking the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we heard stories of young men who had been deceived and trapped in criminal compounds. Some were lured with promises of jobs and better opportunities abroad but ended up being exploited. After a raid on one of these locations, authorities had difficulties identifying victims and they were placed in detention for months, in some cases close to a year, while the situation was resolved. This shows the deep human cost of irregular migration. Families experience anxiety, uncertainty and emotional distress because they often have no information about what is happening to their loved ones. At IOM, we believe that nobody should have to risk their life in order to improve their life. The objective of migration is to create a better future, but when people take dangerous irregular routes, they end up putting that very life at risk. Our mission is to ensure that migration is safe, orderly and regular while protecting the dignity and rights of every migrant. Many Nigerians embark on irregular migration journeys because they are searching for better opportunities. What are some of the realities they encounter along these routes? This is an important question because social media often shows only the destination. It shows the success stories and the images of people who appear to have made it abroad, but it rarely shows the dangerous journey behind those images. Many Nigerians leave home with genuine dreams and aspirations. They want better jobs, better opportunities and a better life. However, along irregular migration routes, many encounter realities that are extremely painful. Migrants may face dehydration while crossing deserts such as the Sahara, exploitation by smugglers, detention for ransom, abuse by traffickers, violence and months or even years stranded in transit countries without protection. The challenges do not always end when they reach their destination countries. Many continue to face exploitation, forced labour, abuse and difficult living conditions. The deepest wounds are often invisible. Many returnees come back carrying trauma, debt and the emotional burden of dreams that did not become reality. I will share the story of a young Nigerian woman I met recently in Edo State. She was promised a better opportunity abroad. She discussed it with her mother, and together they decided to support the journey. Her mother sold a property to raise money for the migration process. However, when she arrived abroad, what she found was completely different from what she was promised. She experienced exploitation and abuse. She became sick and did not know where to turn for help. She eventually managed to escape; she was afraid to return home. She felt ashamed because she was returning to a home where she had
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