The International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD) participated in the *Community Town Hall on Migration: Understanding Realities, Risks and Opportunities*, held on 23 October 2026 in Ikeja, Lagos.

Organised by the Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE), in collaboration with ActionAid under the RECONNECT Project funded by GIZ, the town hall brought together civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss migration realities, challenges and opportunities within communities.

Discussions explored regular and irregular migration pathways, access to reliable migration information, migration governance, and the challenges associated with return and reintegration.

During the group discussions, participants examined barriers to regular migration and highlighted the need for better interpretation and communication of immigration policies by relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations and enforcement agencies. Ensuring that accurate information reaches the right audiences is essential to helping people make informed migration decisions.

The engagement also provided an opportunity for civil society organisations to explore stronger collaboration, peer learning, capacity building and resource mobilisation to improve their collective impact.

The discussions connect with ICEHD’s broader work in community development, human rights, social inclusion and the empowerment of vulnerable populations.

Migration can intersect with these areas, particularly where individuals and families face exploitation, limited access to reliable information, protection concerns or difficulties reintegrating into their communities. The engagement reinforced the importance of community awareness, access to information and collaboration among stakeholders in addressing these challenges.

We appreciate the impactful work and continued efforts of **CSOnetMADE, ActionAid Nigeria and GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS** in bringing stakeholders together, fostering meaningful conversations and advancing collaboration on migration issues.

ICEHD looks forward to strengthening connections with fellow stakeholders and exploring opportunities for meaningful partnerships.