My migration journey is one that changed my life forever- Jerry Adelu VOMA Director

Director of Voice of Migrant Association (VOMA) a non- governmental Organisation, based in Lagos Nigeria, Jerry Adelu, has narrated how his migration journey is one thing that has changed his life forever.

Like many young Africans searching for better opportunities, Jerry said, “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 he imagined. At every stage of the trip, new agents appeared demanding additional money before allowing them to continue. The cost kept increasing far beyond what Jerry  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.”

He noted that 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.”