FG to Repatriate 15,000 Nigerians Stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad — NCFRMI

The Federal Government has announced ongoing plans to safely repatriate approximately 15,000 Nigerians currently stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and other countries.

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

According to Ahmed, Nigeria is currently grappling with over six million internally displaced persons, while thousands of its citizens are living as refugees abroad. “We have 15,000 Nigerians seeking voluntary return, and not less than 100,000 foreigners residing in Nigeria as refugees. It’s our responsibility to support them all,” he stated.

The commissioner commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support toward refugee and migration management efforts, as well as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Ahmed also announced that Nigeria will host the first thematic meeting under its current chairmanship of the Rabat Process a Euro-African migration and development initiative scheduled for May 13–14, 2025. Over 100 delegates from 57 member countries are expected to attend.

With the theme “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration,” the meeting will provide a platform for bilateral discussions aimed at improving migration governance and knowledge exchange.

“Nigeria’s leadership in the Rabat Process, although a one-year tenure, offers a strategic opportunity for capacity building and advancing legal migration frameworks,” Ahmed said.

He further emphasized the need for sustained advocacy to educate youth on the dangers of irregular migration and promote safer, legal alternatives. “Irregular migration often leads to hardship and, in many cases, an inability to return home. We must focus on legal pathways and provide the right information,” he added.

The NCFRMI called for greater collaboration among stakeholders including media organizations to strengthen migration policy and humanitarian response.

NAN