By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his administration’s resolve to deepen collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other development partners to tackle migration-related challenges, expand youth empowerment initiatives and strengthen social protection systems across the state.
The Governor’s position was conveyed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on International Development Partners, Hon. Collins Edomaruse, while speaking at the 2026 IOM Benin Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Meeting held in Benin City, on Thursday.
Edomaruse commended the IOM Benin Office for sustaining an annual platform for dialogue and coordination, noting that in a development context of growing needs and limited resources, such engagement is essential for impact.
“In a development environment where resources are limited and needs are growing, such platforms are not a luxury; they are a necessity,” he said.
He stressed that migration, youth empowerment, counter-trafficking, social protection and livelihood support are interconnected realities that require coordinated, people-centred responses, rather than isolated interventions.
“A young person who migrates irregularly is often the same person who needs skills, employment, psychosocial support and protection from exploitation. These realities demand that we move beyond parallel interventions to coordinated action,” Edomaruse noted.
According to him, Governor Okpebholo places high value on partnerships with IOM and the broader development ecosystem, acknowledging the role of past collaborations in strengthening institutional capacity, supporting returnees and vulnerable persons, and promoting safer migration practices.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Special Adviser called for stronger synergy and alignment of work plans to avoid duplication and maximise impact, adding that shared programming, harmonised training and joint resource mobilisation would deliver more coherent support systems for beneficiaries.
“When we share facilities, harmonise training efforts, co-design community interventions and jointly mobilise resources, we create a more seamless support system for the people we serve,” he said.
He further outlined priority areas of the Okpebholo administration, in line with the SHINE Agenda, including youth employability, community stabilisation, migration governance, protection of vulnerable populations, data-driven planning, and the reintegration and resilience of returnees.
Edomaruse reaffirmed the State Government’s openness to joint programming, shared monitoring frameworks and coordinated community engagements with IOM and other partners, noting that the administration remains committed to building trust, coordination and shared accountability in the development space.
Participants at the meeting included representatives of the IOM, UN, Office of the First Lady, Ministries, Departments and Agencies; development partners such as NAPTIP, NIS; civil society organisations and other key stakeholders working in migration and development across Edo State.