More than 60,000 Nigerians stranded on migration routes across West and Central Africa have safely returned home with IOM’s support since 2017, many of whom are now rebuilding their lives with targeted reintegration support.
The homecoming of 181 Nigerians from Libya on March 10 marked this critical milestone, a testament of the commitment of IOM, the Government of Nigeria, the European Union and EU Member States, to people-centered migrant assistance and protection.
For many, the journey home marks the end of exploitation, abuse, and dangerous migration conditions, and the beginning of a structured process to recover their stability, independence and dignity. To date, more than 38 000 returnees have received reintegration support, including vocational training, business start-up assistance, education opportunities, and psychosocial care.
“Return is not the end of the story,” said Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission to Nigeria. “It is an opportunity, and with the right support, returnees do not merely recover, they rebuild, they contribute, they grow. Reintegration, when it works, is development. It is how communities become stronger, one life at a time.”
Nigerians Return Home Safely with Reintegration Support
In 2025 alone, 14,787 Nigerians returned home safely, while more than 2,500 migrants have already been supported in 2026, reflecting continued need for route-based approaches that ensure migrants’ access to protection services, safe return options and reintegration assistance.
Many of those supported are survivors of trafficking, exploitation, or severe abuse along migration routes. Upon their return, they receive specialised case-managed support including medical care, trauma counselling, temporary shelter where needed, protection services, legal assistance, and referrals to justice and social welfare systems, alongside tailored reintegration support designed to address their specific vulnerabilities and help them safely rebuild their lives.
IOM continues to work with government and partners to ensure that migrants in vulnerable situations are not only able to return safely but are also supported to reintegrate and move forward with dignity and opportunity.
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