Morganable Africa/Migration&Belonging
On May 22, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed the arrival of about 1,100 Nigerians who returned by road from Niger Republic.
kaNo —
At least 1,429 Nigerians were repatriated from the Niger Republic in May 2026, underscoring the persistent risks faced by migrants along the Sahel migration corridor and the growing pressures driving irregular migration from Nigeria.
The figures, contained in the Quarterly Mixed Migration Update for West Africa (Q2 2026) by the Mixed Migration Centre, highlight Niger’s continued role as a key transit hub for West Africans attempting to reach Europe through Libya and Algeria.
The report, obtained by the Punch provides fresh insight into the scale of stranded Nigerian migrants in the region, even as the country grapples with a broader wave of emigration popularly referred to as “japa,” driven largely by economic hardship and limited opportunities at home.
According to the data, the repatriation figures were drawn from two major return movements recorded in May.
On May 22, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed the arrival of about 1,100 Nigerians who returned by road from Niger Republic.
NEMA Receives 329 Returnees
Two days later, an additional 329 returnees were received from Agadez by the National Emergency Management Agency, bringing the total to 1,429 within a short period.
For over a decade, Agadez,a desert city located about 950 kilometres from Niamey,has served as the main departure point for migrants heading north across the Sahara Desert.
From there, many attempt to reach Libya or Algeria before embarking on perilous sea crossings to Europe.
As of May 2026, 163 Nigerians had arrived in Italy through this route, second only to Mali among West African countries.
However, the figure reflects a slight decline compared to the 196 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.
Despite the drop, analysts caution that lower arrival figures do not necessarily indicate fewer migration attempts, but may instead reflect increased risks, stricter controls or higher mortality rates along migration routes.
Citing data from Alarm Phone Sahara, a migrant rights network, the report revealed that at least 14,602 people were expelled from Algeria into Niger between January and mid-May 2026.
This figure represents 43 per cent of the total expulsions recorded throughout 2025, signalling a sharp escalation in deportation activities within a relatively short timeframe.
While official convoys are typically meant to return Nigerien nationals, the report noted that an increasing number of non-Nigeriens including Nigerians, Malians, Guineans, Sudanese and Chadians are often caught up in these expulsions.
This back-and-forth movement has effectively trapped migrants in a state of limbo, exposing them to harsh desert conditions, exploitation and limited access to humanitarian assistance.
Migration Trends Facing Shift Regionally
Spain recorded 12,138 irregular arrivals by sea and land as of June 30, 2026, marking a 33 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2025.
The decrease was largely driven by a 67 per cent drop in crossings along the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands.
However, the report cautioned that the reduction in arrivals does not necessarily equate to safer migration conditions.
Deaths and disappearances along the Atlantic route declined by only 16 per cent, suggesting that many migrants may still be attempting the journey but failing to reach their destinations.
Agadez quickly emerged as a major staging post for migrants from across West Africa.
In 2015, under pressure from European partners, Niger criminalised migrant smuggling, a move that temporarily reduced visible migration flows through Agadez.
However, it also pushed migrants and smugglers onto more remote and dangerous desert routes.
Following the 2023 military coup in Niger, the law was repealed, a decision that rights groups say has revived migration activity in the region and complicated cooperation with European countries seeking to curb irregular migration.
For Nigerians, the journey to Niger is often the first step in a longer and riskier migration process.
ECOWAS Free Protocol Aiding Free Movement
Under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Nigerian citizens can travel to Niger without a visa for up to 90 days, making it an accessible gateway for those seeking opportunities abroad.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities are taking steps to address the challenges faced by returning migrants.
The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has announced plans to implement structured reintegration programmes for repatriated citizens.
The initiative includes psychosocial support, economic reintegration assistance and comprehensive needs assessments aimed at helping returnees rebuild their lives.
The Commission recently received another batch of Nigerians repatriated from South Africa, bringing the total number of returnees under its current programme to 1,485 since June 2026.
Speaking during the reception exercise, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Dr Tijani Ahmed, said the government’s response would go beyond facilitating returns to ensuring sustainable reintegration.
Represented by the Director of Migrant Affairs, Ambassador Catherine Udida, Ahmed noted that many returnees face emotional, social and economic challenges after enduring difficult migration experiences.
She said the Commission would begin engaging returnees in phases, offering counselling, profiling and targeted support based on individual needs.
Experts say such reintegration efforts are critical to reducing repeat migration attempts, particularly as economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity continue to drive outward migration from Nigeria.
As migration pressures persist, the latest data highlight the urgent need for coordinated regional responses, improved economic opportunities at home and stronger protections for migrants navigating one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.
