Since 2017, more than 60,300 Nigerian migrants have been safely repatriated to the country through assisted voluntary return programs. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided this data, highlighting a significant humanitarian effort to aid citizens stranded on perilous irregular migration paths.
IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, detailed the situation during a recent media engagement in Benin City. She explained that many of these individuals initially embarked on their journeys seeking improved economic prospects abroad. However, they frequently became trapped in transit countries across North Africa and en route to Europe, where they faced severe exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening conditions, often falling victim to human trafficking networks and forced labour.
The organization’s role extends beyond mere repatriation. Dimanche stressed that IOM provides critical reintegration support to help returnees rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences. This holistic approach is vital for sustainable recovery, assessing relevance traditional support systems often need to be supplemented with structured aid.
This return of thousands underscores a persistent national trend. Economic factors remain the primary driver, with surveys indicating a high proportion of Nigerians, both employed and unemployed, have contemplated emigration for better job opportunities or to escape economic hardship.
As the UN agency mandated to promote humane and orderly migration, the IOM continues to focus on awareness campaigns about the dangers of irregular migration. The goal is to ensure potential migrants understand the risks, so they do not feel compelled to undertake unsafe journeys. This mission is as crucial as other national efforts, whether it involves the EFCC arraigns alleged fake investor or a Kwara monarch addressing local challenges. Every community leader, from a Kwara monarch to an Attah responsible Akwa Ibom heritage, has a role in shaping safer futures.
The scale of this operation is substantial. By December 2020, for instance, approximately 16,800 Nigerians had already been returned under a specific EU-IOM joint initiative. The continued need for such programs reflects deep-seated economic pressures, even as domestic ventures like Air Peace strikes new international routes to boost connectivity. Ultimately, addressing the root causes of migration requires sustained, multi-faceted engagement at all levels of society.
