DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR COUNTERING SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS (HOMEBASED, ABUJA NIGERIA)

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Project Context and Scope

Smuggling of Migrants (SoM) remains a significant transnational crime affecting Nigeria as a country of origin, transit, and destination, particularly across regions characterized by porous borders and mixed migration flows. It poses serious risks to migrants’ safety, undermines border governance systems, and is often linked to organized crime networks. These factors collectively threaten national security, contribute to exploitation and human rights’ violation of migrants, and place significant strain on institutions. While Nigeria has several frameworks addressing migration management and transnational organized crime, the absence of an updated, practical, and operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) on combating SoM continues to hinder effective coordination among relevant actors. There is a critical need for a comprehensive SOP that clearly outline institutional roles, referral pathways, investigative procedures, data‑sharing mechanisms, interagency coordination, migrant protection standards aligned with national frameworks and international instruments, including the UN Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants (2000).

To support improved national response mechanisms, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) seeks to support the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the NIS to strengthen institutional capacity to prevent, detect, investigate, and respond to SoM. The development of comprehensive, rights-based, and operational SOP will provide a standardised national framework guiding NIS, frontline officials and other relevant stakeholders in delivering coordinated, efficient, and protection-sensitive responses.

This initiative is implemented under the auspices of the CAPACITY Programme, funded by the Government of Denmark under the Danish Migration Management Programme (2024–2029). The Programme seeks to support Nigeria in enhancing migration governance through strengthened border management systems, improved identity management frameworks, and targeted institutional capacity-building interventions.