Recent data from the Federal Government indicates that over 3,000 Nigerians have returned from Chad, Niger, and Cameroon within the last half-year. This trend highlights a growing desire among citizens to escape persistent hunger and insecurity. Tijani Ahmed, Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, confirmed these figures during World Refugee Day in Abuja. He noted that the commission is actively managing the influx of asylum seekers while facilitating voluntary repatriations.
The current situation has drawn significant criticism from the public, who blame ineffective governance for the country’s dire economic state. Many households are struggling as the cost of basic food items like rice, beans, and maize has become prohibitively expensive. Concurrently, threats from insurgent groups, bandits, and kidnappers have made daily life increasingly dangerous. Critics argue that these compounding crises have forced citizens to flee, even to neighboring African nations that may not necessarily offer better living standards but provide a greater sense of physical safety.
Experts, including migration analyst Osita Osemene and Middle Belt Forum President Dr. Pogu Bitrus, emphasize that these migration numbers are likely only a small fraction of the total. They suggest that many individuals attempt to reach Europe via North African transit routes, only to become stranded. Both leaders agree that the only viable solution to stem this tide of emigration is for the government to stabilize the economy and guarantee the protection of life and property for all Nigerians.
