Joyce Onwuka
The Initiative for Youth Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development and Reintegration (IYAMIDR) has commended decision of the Federal Government to commence voluntary repatriation flights for Nigerians in South Africa following renewed xenophobic tensions in Pretoria and Johannesburg.
“We commend the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Hon. Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, for its swift response and for summoning the Acting High Commissioner to South Africa to address the safety of Nigerian citizens. With at least 130 Nigerians already registered for evacuation, this proactive step reaffirms the President’s commitment that the safety of Nigerians abroad remains a priority.” the growth said in a statement.
Nigeria has been here before. During the 2009 and 2011 Libyan crises that led to the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, thousands of Nigerian migrants returned home abruptly. The fallout from that poorly coordinated reintegration is still felt today: unemployment, stigma, and lack of psychosocial support pushed many returnees into further irregular migration or destitution. We must not repeat that cycle.
To ensure this evacuation does not end at the airport tarmac, the group urged the FG to set clear rules and a framework now:
1. *Federal-State Coordination*: Notify and involve state governments immediately. Each returnee should be profiled by state of origin for targeted support upon arrival.
2. *Comprehensive Reception Plan*: NEMA, NCFRMI, and FMHADMSD should set up reception centers with health screening, documentation, and psychosocial first aid.
3. *Livelihood & Skills Audit*: Capture skills and work experience of returnees at point of registration in South Africa to fast-track linkage to SMEDAN, NDE, and state job creation programs.
4. *Emergency Travel Documents*: Sustain the issuance of emergency travel certificates (ETC) for those without valid passports to avoid documentation bottlenecks.
5. *Post-Arrival Monitoring*: Establish a 6-month reintegration monitoring system with CSOs like IYAMIDR to track welfare and prevent re-trafficking or re-migration.
6. *Funding & Accountability*: Ring-fence a Reintegration Support Fund and publish utilization reports to ensure transparency.
“We put all state governments on notice: prepare to receive your citizens. Set up state-level reintegration desks now. The burden of reintegration cannot be left to the Federal Government alone.
“IYAMIDR stands ready to support with awareness, counseling, and reintegration programming. We have the experience and grassroots network to help turn this evacuation into a dignified return. The FG has done well to act. Let us now plan well to receive.” the statement says.