The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday facilitated the return of 180 Nigerian migrants from Libya through its Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, which is supported by the European Union.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from Benghazi, Libya, where many had been facing challenging living conditions and uncertainty.
Speaking during the reception of the migrants, the Head of IOM’s Lagos Sub-Office, Ali Ibrahim, explained that the exercise was carried out in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders to provide humanitarian support and help the returnees rebuild their lives back home.
He disclosed that the group consisted of 153 women, 25 men, and two unaccompanied minors. According to him, around 50 of the migrants were evacuated from detention centres in Libya, while the remaining returnees had been residing in and around Benghazi before choosing to voluntarily return to Nigeria.
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Upon their arrival, the returnees were provided with immediate support, including medical check-ups, psychosocial counselling, first aid, and other emergency services aimed at meeting their urgent needs and helping them settle back into society.
Beyond the initial reception, the AVRR programme offers long-term reintegration assistance to help returnees rebuild their lives. This support includes vocational and livelihood opportunities, business start-up grants, educational assistance, and other interventions tailored to individual circumstances.
Speaking on the programme, the IOM representative explained that voluntary return is designed for migrants who choose to go back to their home countries after becoming stranded or facing difficult conditions abroad.
“Migration is a personal choice. Returning home does not mean a person cannot travel again in the future. Our goal is to promote safe and informed migration so people can make well-informed decisions before embarking on such journeys,” the official stated.
According to the organisation, the programme has been in operation since 2017 and has assisted about 65,700 Nigerians to voluntarily return from different countries. Of that number, approximately 7,625 have returned in 2026 alone.
IOM further revealed that repatriation flights from Libya remain frequent, with chartered flights arriving almost every week in Lagos and Kano. Other returnees also make their way back through commercial flights, landing at various entry points across the country, including Abuja.
The latest return operation underscores the continued efforts of humanitarian organisations and government partners to support vulnerable migrants, encourage safer migration practices, and ensure sustainable reintegration for Nigerians returning home.
