The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, has outlined plans to provide coordinated psychosocial and socioeconomic reintegration support to Nigerians recently repatriated from South Africa.
The Commission rolled out the plan shortly after it received the last batch of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa in collaboration with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders.
The latest arrival brings to 1,485 the total number of returnees received since the reception exercise commenced on 11 June 2026. The 305 returnees also represent the largest single caseload received since the commencement of the exercise.
Speaking during the reception exercise, the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Dr Tijani Ahmed, said the Federal Government’s intervention would extend beyond facilitating the return of the affected Nigerians to providing structured support for their recovery and reintegration.
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The Federal Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Migrant Affairs, Ambassador Catherine Udida, indicated that the Commission would begin reaching out to the returnees in batches over the coming days to provide mental health and psychosocial support and undertake further assessments of their individual needs.
She noted that returning after a prolonged and often difficult migration experience may present emotional, social and economic challenges, making counselling, profiling and comprehensive needs assessment essential to achieving sustainable reintegration.
According to her, the process will enable the Commission and its partners to better understand the vulnerabilities, skills, family circumstances and livelihood needs of each returnee before linking them to suitable programmes and services.
“The Federal Government is committed not only to ensuring the safe and dignified return of Nigerians but also to supporting them as they rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their families and communities.”
“Following the psychosocial support and assessment process, eligible returnees will be integrated into relevant programmes of the Commission and referred to sister agencies and institutions whose mandates cover skills development, employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood support,” she explained.
She identified potential partners in the reintegration process to include the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), as well as other government institutions, private-sector organisations and development partners.
The planned interventions are expected to include referrals for vocational and technical training, business development services, entrepreneurship support, employability programmes and other livelihood opportunities based on the identified needs, interests and capacities of the returnees.
The Commission also explained that the reintegration process would be implemented in phases and batches to ensure that available interventions are properly coordinated, targeted and responsive to the circumstances of the returnees.
NCFRMI also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, international organisations, civil society groups and the private sector to strengthen the reintegration process and reduce the risks of further vulnerability or unsafe remigration.
It further assured the returnees that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting their dignity and supporting their successful social and economic reintegration into Nigerian society.
