No fewer than 11,852 Nigerians have been repatriated from 10 countries from January 2023 to November 25, 2024.
This is according to the Migrant Profile Report obtained from the International Organisation for Migration, which includes details of migrants who received assistance to return to Nigeria over a 23-month period.
IOM is the leading intergovernmental organisation in the field of migration with commitment to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice.
The report revealed that 4,760 migrants were assisted in returning to Nigeria in 2023, while 7,092 migrants have been assisted so far in 2024. Of these, 5,727 were females (48 per cent) and 6,125 were males (52 per cent).
The figures showed that 140 of them were unaccompanied minors, and 1,550 were victims of trafficking.
It also showed that the top host countries were Libya (5,494), Niger (3,490), Mali (702), Chad (492), Sudan (271), Morocco (269), Tunisia (187), Algeria (148), Germany (133), and Côte d’Ivoire (113).
The top states of origin of the migrants are Kano, Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Yobe, Delta, Oyo, and Kaduna states; and the top states of reintegration are Kano, Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Kaduna, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Yobe, and Borno.
The report revealed that the reasons for departure are for better opportunities (97 per cent), and bad family situation (two per cent).
The educational levels of the migrants showed that 1,266 had no education, 823 went to primary school, 3,401 went to secondary and high school, 250 had non-university certificate or diploma, and 242 went to middle school.
