No fewer than 180 Nigerian migrants have returned home from Libya under the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme of the International Organization for Migration, supported by the European Union.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from Benghazi, Libya, as part of ongoing efforts to assist stranded Nigerians facing difficult conditions abroad.
According to the IOM, the latest batch comprised 153 women, 25 men and two unaccompanied minors. About 50 of the returnees were evacuated from detention centres in Libya, while others had been living in and around Benghazi before opting to return voluntarily.
Speaking during the reception of the migrants, Head of the IOM Lagos Sub-Office, Ali Ibrahim, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Government and other partners to provide humanitarian assistance and support the reintegration of returnees.
He explained that upon arrival, the migrants received immediate support, including health screenings, psychosocial services, first aid and other emergency assistance aimed at facilitating their transition back into society.
Ibrahim noted that beyond reception services, the AVRR programme offers reintegration support through livelihood opportunities, business start-up assistance, educational interventions and other tailored programmes designed to help returnees rebuild their lives.
He stressed that the initiative promotes safe and informed migration decisions, adding that returning home voluntarily does not prevent migrants from pursuing opportunities abroad through legal and safer channels in the future.
“Migration is a choice. Returning home does not prevent anyone from travelling again in the future. What we promote is safe and informed migration so that people can make the right decisions before embarking on migration journeys,” he said.
The IOM disclosed that since the programme commenced in 2017, it has facilitated the return of approximately 65,700 Nigerians from various countries.
The agency further revealed that about 7,625 Nigerians have returned through the programme in 2026 alone, underscoring the scale of migration challenges facing many citizens.
It added that repatriation flights from Libya continue regularly, with chartered aircraft arriving almost weekly in Lagos and Kano, while additional returnees are transported through commercial flights into various entry points, including Abuja.
The latest evacuation highlights ongoing efforts by humanitarian agencies and government partners to assist vulnerable migrants and promote safer migration pathways, while supporting sustainable reintegration for returnees.
