The International Organization of Migration, IOM says an estimated 300,000 West African migrants often use perilous routes through the Sahara Desert and across the Mediterranean Sea annually, to Europe and North America.
This was made known in a presentation by the Policy and Liaison Officer of IOM , Teresa Boteli in Abuja during the plenary session of the Six Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament.
According to Teresa Boteli, the dangerous journeys undertaken by the migrants expose them to numerous risks, including human trafficking, exploitation, and death which is estimated at 5,000 in 2023 .
She said while migrants contribute to cultural exchange and diversity in host countries, they also face significant challenges such as integration, discrimination, and legal hurdles in their destination countries.
The presentation on irregular migration of West Africans triggered a debate among the ECOWAS Parliamentarians who expressed concern over the high rate of youth leaving the region in search of greener pastures mostly through irregular means.
The debate ended with a call for
ECOWAS member states to invest more in the skills and capacity of youth and explore their potential for the benefit of the region- FRCN
