More than 60,300 Nigerian migrants have been returned to the country since 2017 through assisted voluntary return programmes after becoming stranded along dangerous irregular migration routes.
This was disclosed by International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Sharon Dimanche, during a media engagement on Saturday in Benin City.
According to her, many of the returnees embarked on risky journeys in search of better economic opportunities abroad but later found themselves trapped along irregular migration routes where they faced exploitation, abuse and life-threatening conditions.
She explained that several migrants became stranded in transit countries across North Africa and along routes leading to Europe, where many fall victim to human trafficking networks, forced labour, detention and other forms of exploitation before being assisted back home through humanitarian programmes.
Dimanche said the organisation has helped thousands of Nigerians return home safely while providing support to help them rebuild their lives after traumatic migration experiences.
She also stressed that beyond facilitating their safe return, the agency supports migrants through reintegration programmes aimed at helping them regain stability.
The return of thousands of migrants reflects a broader trend in Nigeria, where many citizens continue to consider leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
Among unemployed Nigerians actively seeking jobs, two-thirds (66%) have contemplated emigrating, while 58% of full-time workers and 56% of part-time workers also say they have thought about leaving.
Economic factors remain the major drivers, with 42% citing job opportunities and 39% pointing to economic hardship or poverty as key reasons for considering relocation.
The International Organization for Migration is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting humane and orderly migration, supporting migrants during crises and helping governments manage migration challenges.
Dimanche noted that the organisation’s work also focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of irregular migration and ensuring migrants do not risk their lives on unsafe journeys.
In December 2020, Nairametrics reported that the International Organization for Migration had returned about 16,800 Nigerian irregular migrants since launching a return and reintegration scheme with the European Union in 2017 to safely bring back Nigerians stranded in Europe.