By Huldah Shado
A total of 147 Nigerians stranded in Libya have been repatriated to the country through the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR), programme coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The returnees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, around 5:15 p.m., aboard an IOM-chartered flight.
They were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside representatives of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and other relevant agencies.
According to NEMA, the returnees comprised men, women, and children who were provided with medical screening, counseling, and basic welfare support on arrival.
A NEMA official reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the reintegration of the returnees, noting that the AVR programme continues to serve as a lifeline for Nigerians trapped in difficult conditions abroad.
He added that NEMA, in collaboration with IOM and other partners, would ensure that all returnees are properly profiled and linked to empowerment programmes to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The development marks another phase in the ongoing partnership between the Nigerian government and IOM to curb irregular migration and safeguard the welfare of Nigerians overseas.
Thousands of Nigerians have benefited from the initiative in recent years, particularly from North African countries, where many face harsh conditions and exploitation while attempting to migrate to Europe.
