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FG to Repatriate 15,000 Nigerians Stranded Abroad
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The federal government yesterday said there are ongoing discussions on how 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad and other parts of the world would be returned to Nigeria safely.
Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja.
Ahmed revealed that no fewer than six million people were displaced in Nigeria, while thousands of refugees are living elsewhere across the world.
“We have 15,000 Nigerians who 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.
Ahmed thanked President Bola Tinubu for the support given to the commission and the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.
He revealed that Nigeria has concluded plans to host global leaders to discuss issues of migration and how it affects countries under the membership of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development.
Popularly known as the Rabat Process, the meeting would be the first thematic dialogue under Nigeria’s chairmanship, which is being co-chaired by Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain, and is focusing on youth, education and innovation.
The meeting, which holds May 13th to 14th, 2025, is expected to feature discussions that would guide policy direction, shape cooperative efforts among countries of origin, transit and destination, explore inclusive policies, stronger cooperation and sustained dialogue that can reshape migration positively.
Ahmed said over 100 delegates from 57 member countries of the inter-regional forum for Europe and Africa were expected to be in Nigeria for the high-level meeting themed ‘Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration.
He said “It is worthy to note that Africa is experiencing a demographic surge with over 75 per cent of the world’s under-35 population residing on the continent.
“In Nigeria and across West Africa, the aspirations of young people are increasingly tied to the prospects of mobility field by desire for quality education, decent work and better living conditions.
“This is perhaps most popularly encapsulated in what is now widely known as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon.”
