Irregular Nigerian Migrants in Türkiye Drop Below 5,000 as Bilateral Cooperation Improves

The population of Nigerians residing irregularly in Türkiye has declined significantly, dropping from an estimated 9,000 to fewer than 5,000, marking a notable shift in migration trends between both countries. The development reflects intensified cooperation on migration management and border control.

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, disclosed the figures during an engagement with officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, where both sides assessed progress made in addressing undocumented migration and related challenges affecting Nigerians in Türkiye.

According to the ambassador, Nigeria previously ranked among the countries with the highest number of irregular migrants in Türkiye. However, sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing, and improved documentation processes have pushed Nigeria out of the top six on that list.

Beyond irregular migration, Poroy highlighted the growing number of Nigerians pursuing education legally in the country. He said about 4,600 Nigerian students are formally registered in Turkish universities, with an additional 3,700 studying in Northern Cyprus under recognised academic programmes.

The ambassador also acknowledged earlier concerns around the use of forged visas and falsified travel documents by some migrants. He noted that such cases have declined sharply following tighter controls and closer coordination with Nigerian diplomatic authorities.

Officials of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission described the reduction as a positive outcome of joint efforts but warned that illegal migration remains a serious issue. They stressed the importance of sustained public awareness and enforcement to discourage unsafe migration routes.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on migration governance, with a focus on protecting Nigerian nationals abroad, promoting legal travel pathways, and ensuring the full implementation of agreements reached through diplomatic engagement.