FG Unveils Support Package For Nigerians Repatriated From South Africa

According to Ireporter Online, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) revealed the initiative on Wednesday while receiving the latest batch of 305 returnees from South Africa.

The latest arrival brings the total number of Nigerians repatriated from the country to 1,485 since the exercise began on June 11, 2026.

Speaking during the reception ceremony, the Federal Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NCFRMI, Tijani Ahmed, said the government’s responsibility goes beyond bringing the affected Nigerians back home, stressing that attention would also be given to their recovery, empowerment and reintegration.

Ahmed, who was represented by the Director of Migrants Affairs, Ambassador Catherine Udida, disclosed that the Commission would begin engaging the returnees in batches to provide mental health support, psychosocial counselling and detailed assessments to determine their individual needs.

He explained that many of the returnees had experienced challenging migration journeys, making proper counselling, profiling and evaluation necessary for developing effective reintegration strategies.

The NCFRMI boss stated that the assessment process would help identify the vulnerabilities, skills, family situations and economic needs of the returnees, enabling the government and its partners to connect them with relevant support programmes.

He assured that qualified beneficiaries would be enrolled in various NCFRMI initiatives and referred to relevant government agencies for skills acquisition, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship training and livelihood support.

Ahmed noted that agencies including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) would play key roles in providing vocational training, business development assistance and employability programmes.

He added that the reintegration programme would be carried out in phases to ensure that interventions are properly coordinated and tailored to meet the specific needs and abilities of each returnee.

The Federal Commissioner further disclosed that the Commission would continue working with government institutions, state authorities, international organisations, civil society groups, development partners and private sector stakeholders to strengthen the reintegration process and prevent further vulnerability or unsafe migration.

Ahmed also commended agencies and partners involved in the repatriation exercise, particularly those responsible for immigration procedures, emergency support, documentation, airport coordination and transportation of returnees.

He assured the returning Nigerians that the Federal Government remained committed to safeguarding their dignity and supporting their social and economic recovery as they rebuild their lives within their communities.