FG to return15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad.

May 9, 2025

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FG to return 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad.

The Federal Government has announced that plans are underway to safely and respectfully return 15,000 Nigerians stranded abroad in countries like Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and other countries.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Ahmed revealed that no fewer than six million people are displaced in Nigeria while thousands of refugees are living elsewhere across the world.

“We have 15,000 Nigerians that want to return to the country voluntarily, and we also have not less than 100,000 foreigners living in this country as refugees.

“All these are the responsibilities of the commission, to give them support,” he said.

While reiterating the government’s tireless efforts to ensure the safe return of the displaced persons, Ahmed thanked President Bola Tinubu for the support given to the commission and the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

The NCFRMI boss also revealed that Nigeria would be hosting the first thematic meeting under its chairmanship of the Rabat Process with more than 100 delegates from the 57 partner countries in attendance.

It would be recalled that Nigeria assumed chairmanship of the Rabat Process – a Euro-African dialogue on migration and development – in January, 2025.

Ahmed said that the meeting, scheduled for May 13 and May 14, themed “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration”, will pave the way for bilateral discussions between Nigeria and other countries, leading to better migration governance.

“Membership in these platforms provides opportunities for knowledge transfer and better migration management.

“Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat Process is seen as an advantage, despite its being a one-year term,” he added.

The federal commissioner also outlined the challenges in managing migration, including the need for adequate advocacy to inform younger generations about legal migration pathways especially the Nigerians stranded abroad.

“There is a need to educate migrants about the consequences of irregular migration, including negative outcomes.

“The focus should be on advocating for legal migration pathways to reduce the number of irregular migrants.

“Regular migration involves moving through legal channels, while irregular migration often involves dangerous and illegal methods.

“Irregular migration can lead to hardship and danger, with many migrants unable to return to their home country,” he said due to Nigerians stranded abroad.

Ahmed, therefore, called for better coordination and support from various stakeholders, including the media, to enhance migration governance for the Nigerians stranded abroad.