NIDCOM, Turkiye Move To Strengthen Migration Ties
Nigeria and Türkiye are deepening their existing partnership on migration, with a renewed focus on ensuring the humane and dignified return and reintegration of undocumented Nigerians who wish to come back home from Türkiye.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level courtesy visit to NiDCOM’s headquarters in Abuja by a delegation from Türkiye’s Presidency of Migration Management, led by Hünkar Burkan İbin, Head of the Deportation Department for Removal Affairs. Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation and advancing plans to formalise the process through a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Officials of the Turkish delegation disclosed that consultations are ongoing with relevant Nigerian institutions, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the CLEEN Foundation and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), towards finalising modalities for the programme ahead of the signing of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding.
İbin explained that when irregular migrants are apprehended in Türkiye, they are taken to a holding centre while the Nigerian Government is contacted to facilitate their safe return. He noted, however, that the preferred route is voluntary. Under Türkiye’s National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (NAVRR) Mechanism, migrants who apply to return are assigned an individual return counsellor, who identifies the assistance they need, whether financial, in-kind or otherwise. The Mechanism is open to foreigners with deportation decisions, those under administrative detention, victims of human trafficking, international protection applicants and status holders, and migrants who have never undertaken a residence procedure.
On legal migration, İbin noted that of approximately 350,000 international students in Türkiye, 2,600 are Nigerian, a figure he said must grow. He added that future steps would be taken to expand legal migration pathways and approve more work permits, though irregular migration must first be brought under control. He acknowledged that while some Nigerians in Türkiye have been involved in crimes, the figures remain very low.
The delegation reiterated that engagement with Nigerian authorities is aimed at promoting orderly migration and creating a framework that supports legal migration pathways while providing opportunities for migrants willing to voluntarily return and reintegrate into society.
Responding, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed the delegation and pledged the Commission’s full cooperation. She said NiDCOM would intensify awareness efforts to ensure Nigerians living irregularly and without documentation in Türkiye are informed of the voluntary return programme and encouraged to take advantage of it.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Türkiye occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s diaspora engagement efforts, recalling that the first bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on diaspora matters signed by Nigeria with another country was with Türkiye. She said the longstanding relationship between both countries provides a strong platform for enhanced collaboration on migration and diaspora-related issues.
“NiDCOM will serve as one of the bridges to ensure that what is promised to Nigerians by the Turkish government is fulfilled,” she said.
She encouraged undocumented Nigerians in Türkiye to embrace the initiative once it becomes operational, assuring them that NiDCOM would work closely with the Turkish authorities to ensure that all reintegration support and commitments made under the programme are fully delivered to beneficiaries.
The NiDCOM Chairman reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to discouraging irregular migration, warning that migration policies and regulations across the world are becoming increasingly stringent, making undocumented migration more difficult and risky.
Dabiri-Erewa described Türkiye as a compassionate country and expressed confidence that the return process would be conducted humanely. She highlighted the vibrancy of the Nigerian community in Türkiye, noting that many Nigerians are thriving in business, medicine and sports and contributing meaningfully to the Turkish economy. She also referenced the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to Türkiye as a milestone that further cemented ties between both nations, adding that the President had personally met with Nigerian students during the visit.
She further disclosed that NiDCOM would collaborate with relevant agencies, particularly the NCFRMI and other stakeholders, to sensitise Nigerians on the opportunities available under the voluntary return and reintegration programme, while also educating prospective migrants on the dangers associated with irregular migration.
She concluded on a note of candour:
“Migration is to leave and seek a better life. But if it is not working, come back home.”
Both parties expressed commitment to ensuring that the welfare and dignity of Nigerians in Türkiye remain at the centre of all engagements, with NiDCOM pledging to work closely with relevant Nigerian agencies and ministries to give full effect to the outcomes of the visit.
