The Federal Government is putting measures in place to repatriate about 15,000 Nigerian nationals who are currently stranded in countries like Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.
Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, who heads the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, revealed this in Abuja during a media chat on Friday. He emphasised that the goal is to ensure their return is safe, voluntary, and conducted with dignity.
Nigeria, he noted, also hosts over 100,000 foreign refugees, even as the country grapples with the internal displacement of more than six million citizens due to insecurity and other crises.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is set to host a major international migration summit from May 13 to 14, marking its leadership role in the Rabat Process, a platform that promotes dialogue on migration between Africa and Europe. The summit will focus on youth empowerment, education, and innovation as tools for managing future migration.
Ahmed stressed the need to better inform young Nigerians about legal migration routes to prevent the risks associated with irregular travel. He urged stakeholders, including the media, to support awareness campaigns that promote safe migration and discourage dangerous journeys.
“Many who embark on irregular migration end up in distressing conditions abroad,” he said, calling for stronger systems to manage migration effectively.
