IOM appoints Nigeria’s Ugochi Daniels as deputy DG operations

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has appointed Nigeria’s candidate — Ugochi Daniels — as the deputy director-general of operations.

Antonio Vitorino, IOM director-general, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Daniels, alongside Bernardo Joaquim of Mozambique and Alexandra Bilak of Azerbaijan, were shortlisted from 15 candidates who applied for the position.

“Each interview followed the same process, using a similar series of questions centring on the Organisation’s key programming and policy areas, including the protection of migrants, internal displacement and the humanitarian and development nexus,’’ Vitorino said.

He expressed optimism that Daniels would bring her wealth of experience to bear in the multilateral system, “given her track record of achievements in various UN bodies where she previously worked”.

In a related development, Vitorino also said Amy Pope has been appointed as deputy DG for management and reforms.

He added that the IOM hopes that both officials would utilise their skills in the service of member states, and in support of the millions of people whose lives depend on the organisation.

“I am confident that Ms Daniels and Ms Pope, as our two Deputy D-Gs, will demonstrate effective leadership throughout their tenure,” he said.

Daniels, until her appointment, was the chief of the humanitarian and fragile contexts branch in the programme division of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since 2013.

On September 10, 2018, she became a UN human settlements programme coordinator and resident envoy to Iran.

Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, had led campaigns for Daniels’ appointment, following her nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.