Ex-migrant uses art to give fresh life to Nigerian returnees

Jeremiah Adelu is a young, vibrant, and success-driven Nigerian who did not allow his past to define him.  

After a failed attempt at travelling to Europe through Libya, Jerry returned home and against all odds, founded Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA) a non- governmental Organisation supporting returnees. With VOMA, Jerry uses his love for art to remould shattered hearts ,restore confidence  and redefine the lives of many returnees, some of who are battling depression and other challenges.  

Excerpts:

Tell us about yourself

 I am a returned migrant, a social advocate, and the Director of the Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA). I currently work to raise awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling while promoting safe and legal migration pathways. Through my work, I also mentor returnees and vulnerable youth, helping them rebuild their lives through advocacy, skills development, and creative expression.

 How did you get recruited to travel?

My journey started through information and promises from people who portrayed migration as an easy and guaranteed path to success. Like many others, I was influenced by stories of people who supposedly made it abroad. Recruiters and middlemen often present migration as simple and safe, but they rarely talk about the risks involved.

What was your migration journey like?

My migration journey is one that changed my life forever.

Like many young Africans searching for better opportunities, I once believed that traveling abroad was the fastest way to success,I saw friends and acquaintances posting pictures of beautiful lives in Europe on social media. From the outside, it looked like once you arrived there, life automatically would become better. Those images and stories strengthened my desire to travel to Germany in search of a better future

At that time, I was working hard and trying to build a better life for myself, but like many young people, I believed that going abroad would open greater opportunities. A friend eventually introduced me to people who claimed they could help me travel to Europe through the land route. They told me the journey would cost about ₦300,000, which sounded affordable compared to the promises of a new life abroad. Determined to change my life, I struggled and managed to raise the money.

The journey soon began. I traveled from Nigeria through the northern part of the country into Niger, heading toward Libya, which is a major transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe through the Mediterranean Sea. However, what started as a hopeful journey quickly turned into a nightmare.

Like many migrants who attempt irregular migration, the reality of the journey was far from what I imagined. At every stage of the trip, new agents appeared demanding additional money before allowing us to continue. The cost kept increasing far beyond what I had originally been told. By the time I finally reached Libya, I had spent about ₦1.15 million, far more than the initial agreement.

One of the most frightening parts of the journey was crossing the Sahara Desert. We were packed into pickup trucks and driven across a vast desert with very little food and water. During the day, the heat was unbearable, and at night the cold was extreme. Along the way, I saw something I will never forget dead bodies of migrants scattered across the desert. Some had died from dehydration, others from exhaustion. The desert had become the final resting place for many people who once had dreams just like mine.

When I finally arrived in Libya, the situation became even worse. Migrants were taken to detention camps and places controlled by traffickers and militias. One of the places we were held was known as the “Land of No Mercy. The conditions there were terrible. Many of us were crowded into small spaces with little food, poor sanitation, and constant fear.

People were beaten regularly, especially if they could not pay more money. Traffickers would force migrants to call their families back home while they were being beaten so their relatives could hear their cries and send money quickly. I personally experienced this. I had to call my sister while I was being beaten so that she would send money to secure my release.

Women in the camps suffered even more, as many of them were forced into prostitution. At that point, I realized that the journey I thought would bring a better life had instead become a fight just to stay alive. I experienced hardship, uncertainty, and the harsh realities many migrants face during irregular migration. These experiences exposed me to the risks of trafficking, exploitation, and extremely difficult living conditions.

Later, while preparing to cross the Mediterranean Sea, I witnessed another heartbreaking tragedy. A boat carrying migrants capsized, and more than 100 people lost their lives in the sea. Seeing that moment shook me deeply. I began to think seriously about the possibility of dying in the desert or in the sea, far away from home where my family might never even know what happened to me.

That experience completely changed my mindset. I realized that no dream was worth losing my life.

Eventually, I was able to return to Nigeria through an assisted voluntary return program supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Returning home was not easy, but it gave me another chance to start again.

When I came back, I carried not only my personal story but also a strong desire to ensure that others would not fall into the same trap. I restarted my laundry business and began to reflect deeply on everything I had experienced during the journey.

Instead of keeping my experience to myself, I decided to use my story as a tool for awareness and change. That decision led me to establish the Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA), an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling.

Today, through VOMA, I speak to young people, mentor returnee migrants, and advocate for safe and legal migration pathways. My goal is to ensure that others do not have to go through the same suffering many migrants experience during irregular migration.

My story is not just about pain; it is about transformation. From someone who once chased the dream of Europe through dangerous routes, I have become a voice advocating for safer choices and better opportunities for others.

My message is simple: migration is not wrong, but it must be done safely and legally.

 What was your experience returning home?

Returning home was both emotional and challenging. Many returnees struggle with stigma, disappointment, and the pressure to rebuild their lives. However, my return also became a turning point. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I decided to transform my experience into a platform to educate others and support fellow returnees.

 Tell us about your organization

Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA) is a community-based organization led by returned migrants. The organization focuses on raising awareness about irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling while advocating for safe migration pathways. VOMA also works on reintegration support by empowering returnees through mentorship, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial support.

Why did you establish it?

I established VOMA because I realized that many migrants return home without support, guidance, or opportunities to rebuild their lives. I wanted to create a platform where returnees could share their experiences, heal, and become advocates who educate others about the realities of irregular migration.

How well have you touched the lives of the people you are mentoring?

Through VOMA, we have been able to mentor and support many young people and returnees by providing awareness sessions, community engagements, and empowerment programs. Many of the individuals we mentor have gained confidence, learned skills, and now participate in advocacy activities themselves. Some have even become peer educators who help spread awareness in their communities.

 What are the challenges you face doing your work?

One of the major challenges is limited funding and resources to expand our programs. There is also the challenge of stigma faced by returnees, which sometimes makes reintegration difficult. Additionally, reaching vulnerable youth who are strongly influenced by migration myths can be challenging, but continuous awareness helps address this.

Tell us about your deployment of art to support returnees

At VOMA, we use art as a powerful tool for storytelling, healing, and advocacy. This includes spoken word, music, visual art, podcasts, and creative performances that allow returnees to express their experiences. Art helps transform painful migration experiences into powerful messages that educate others.

 What do you observe when returnees you are helping engage in art?

When returnees engage in art, we notice a significant change in their confidence and emotional well-being. Art provides them with a safe space to express their stories and emotions. It also helps them reconnect with their creativity and build a positive identity beyond their migration experiences.

How did you come about the use of art to support returnees?

The idea came from observing that many returnees struggle to talk openly about their experiences. Art became a natural and effective way for them to communicate their stories without feeling judged. It also allows their voices to reach wider audiences in a powerful and engaging way.

 What do you need to enhance the work you do for returnees especially in the area of art?

To strengthen this initiative, we need more support in terms of training, creative equipment, funding, and partnerships with artists and organizations. Establishing a creative hub where returnees can learn and practice different forms of art would greatly improve the impact of this program.

 

Any plan to spread your work to other parts of the country?

Yes, we have plans to expand our work to other parts of Nigeria. Migration challenges affect many communities, and we believe our model of peer-led advocacy and creative engagement can be replicated in other states. We hope to build partnerships that will help scale our impact nationally.

What is your take on migration awareness?

Migration awareness is not just about discouraging travel; it is about providing accurate information and promoting safe opportunities. Our goal at VOMA is to empower people with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about migration while also supporting returnees to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

For support and collaboration, you can reach Jerry via:

Instagram: #thisisvoma

Phone :+ 234 9010976301

Email: voiceofmigrantassociation@gmail.com

Twitter: voiceofmigrant

Facebook: voice of migrant association 

TikTok: voiceofmigrantassociation

Linkedln: voiceofmigrant