The Federal Authorities says discussions are ongoing on how 15,000 Nigerians stranded in Cameroon, Niger, Chad and different elements of the world shall be returned to Nigeria in security and dignity.
Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, Federal Commissioner, Nationwide Fee for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Individuals (NCFRMI), disclosed this at a media briefing on Friday in Abuja.
Ahmed revealed that no fewer than six million individuals are displaced in Nigeria whereas hundreds of refugees reside elsewhere the world over.
“We’ve got 15,000 Nigerians that wish to return to the nation voluntarily and we additionally haven’t lower than 100,000 foreigners residing on this nation as refugees.
“All these are the duties of the fee, to present them help,” he stated.
Whereas reiterating authorities’s tireless efforts to make sure protected return of the displaced individuals, Ahmed thanked President Bola Tinubu for the help given to the fee and the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.
The NCFRMI boss additionally disclosed that Nigeria could be internet hosting the primary thematic assembly beneath its chairmanship of the Rabat Course of with greater than 100 delegates from the 57 accomplice international locations in attendance.
It will be recalled that Nigeria assumed chairmanship of the Rabat Course of – a Euro-African dialogue on migration and improvement – in January, 2025.
Ahmed stated that the assembly,scheduled for Might 13 and Might 14, themed, “Youth, Innovation and Schooling: Driving the Way forward for Migration.” will pave the best way for bilateral discussions between Nigeria and different international locations, main to raised migration governance
“Membership in these platforms offers alternatives for information switch and higher migration administration.
“Nigeria’s management within the Rabat Course of is seen as a bonus, regardless of its being a one-year time period,” he added.
The federal commissioner additionally outlined the challenges in managing migration, together with the necessity for sufficient advocacy to tell youthful generations about authorized migration pathways.
“There’s a want to teach migrants in regards to the penalties of irregular migration, together with unfavorable outcomes.
“The main focus must be on advocating for authorized migration pathways to scale back the variety of irregular migrants.
“Common migration entails transferring by means of authorized channels, whereas irregular migration typically entails harmful and unlawful strategies.
“Irregular migration can result in hardship and hazard, with many migrants unable to return to their residence nation,” he stated
Ahmed, due to this fact, referred to as for higher coordination and help from numerous stakeholders, together with the media to boost migration governance.
(NAN)
