Over 13,600 Nigerians repatriated from 10 countries in three years – Report

No fewer than 13,635 stranded Nigerians were repatriated from 10 countries between 2023 and 2025.

Data compiled from media reports and official records of the International Organisation for Migration, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission showed that the returnees were evacuated from Libya, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Niger Republic, Algeria, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.

In 2025, a total of 3,358 Nigerians were repatriated from five countries.

The figures include 1,773 returnees from Libya, 1,188 from the Niger Republic, 153 from Chad, 140 from Sudan and 104 from Algeria.

In 2024, 4,261 stranded Nigerians were evacuated from seven countries.

These comprised 1,821 from Libya, 1,088 from the Niger Republic, 673 from Chad, 338 from Mali, 263 from Côte d’Ivoire, 190 from the United Arab Emirates, 122 from Ghana and 29 from Sudan.

Similarly, in 2023, a total of 5,753 Nigerians were evacuated from four countries, including 2,849 from Sudan, 1,916 from Libya, 975 from the Niger Republic and 13 from Saudi Arabia.

Amid the rising figures, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2025 renewed its warning to Nigerians, particularly youths, to be wary of fraudulent overseas job offers.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, urged citizens to verify employment opportunities abroad through official channels.

Also, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, cautioned young Nigerians against irregular migration, noting that while legal migration is part of human development, irregular routes pose serious risks to lives, communities and national growth.