FG Begins Move to Bring Home 15,000 Nigerians Stranded in Cameroon, Niger, and Chad

By Achimi Muktar

In a bold and unprecedented move, the Federal Government has announced plans to repatriate 15,000 Nigerians stranded in neighbouring countries — Cameroon, Niger, Chad — and beyond, as part of ongoing efforts to address Nigeria’s deepening displacement crisis.

Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), disclosed the development during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, shedding light on the massive scale of the humanitarian challenge confronting the nation.

According to Mr Ahmed, no fewer than six million people remain displaced within Nigeria due to conflict and instability, while thousands more live as refugees in other countries — many in dire need of assistance and desperate to return home.

“We have 15,000 Nigerians who want to return to the country voluntarily,” he stated. “In addition to that, we are also currently hosting no fewer than 100,000 foreigners in Nigeria as refugees. It is the responsibility of our commission to support both groups.”

The Federal Government’s plans are rooted in a strong commitment to ensuring that all returns are done “in safety and dignity,” a principle Mr Ahmed emphasized during the briefing. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support in empowering the commission to carry out its mandate.

As the nation grapples with both inbound and outbound migration challenges, Mr Ahmed revealed that Nigeria will, for the first time, host a high-level thematic meeting under its new role as chair of the Rabat Process — a Euro-African dialogue platform on migration and development.

Set to take place in Abuja on May 13 and 14, the meeting will host over 100 delegates from 57 countries, under the theme: “Youth, Innovation and Education: Driving the Future of Migration.” Nigeria’s chairmanship, which began in January 2025, is expected to bolster diplomatic engagement and reshape the conversation on migration policy in Africa and beyond.

“This platform creates opportunities for knowledge transfer and improved migration management,” Ahmed noted. “Even though the tenure is one year, we intend to use it strategically to enhance Nigeria’s leadership and cooperation on migration.”

Mr Ahmed didn’t shy away from addressing the pressing challenges in managing migration effectively — especially among youth.

“There is a need to educate our young people about the dangers of irregular migration,” he warned. “The focus must shift to promoting legal migration pathways and discouraging risky journeys that often end in tragedy.”

He concluded by urging the media, civil society, and international partners to play a more active role in shaping responsible migration narratives and supporting the government’s initiatives.

As Nigeria prepares to welcome home thousands of its stranded citizens, the eyes of the world will be watching to see how the country navigates one of its largest repatriation efforts in recent history — a move that could redefine the future of migration in the region.