Abuja, June 24, 2026 — Nigeria and Türkiye have renewed their bilateral cooperation on migration, with a strong emphasis on promoting voluntary return and reintegration of undocumented Nigerians residing in Türkiye.
This development followed a high-level courtesy visit by a delegation from Türkiye’s Presidency of Migration Management to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) headquarters in Abuja, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening migration collaboration and formalising the process through a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Leader of the Turkish delegation, Hünkar Burkan İbin, who heads the Deportation Department for Removal Affairs, disclosed that consultations were ongoing with key 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), to finalise modalities for the proposed agreement.
İbin explained that irregular Nigerian migrants apprehended in Türkiye are placed in holding centres while Nigerian authorities are contacted to facilitate their return. However, he emphasised that voluntary return remains the preferred option under Türkiye’s National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (NAVRR) Mechanism.
According to him, the programme provides returnees with personalised support, including financial and in-kind assistance, through dedicated return counsellors. He noted that the initiative is accessible to a wide range of migrants, including those with deportation orders, individuals in administrative detention, victims of human trafficking, and applicants for international protection.
On legal migration, İbin revealed that Nigerians currently account for about 2,600 of the estimated 350,000 international students in Türkiye, stressing the need to increase the number through expanded legal migration pathways and additional work permits, while addressing irregular migration concerns.
Responding, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed the initiative and assured of the Commission’s full cooperation in ensuring its success. She said NiDCOM would intensify awareness campaigns to inform undocumented Nigerians in Türkiye about the voluntary return programme and encourage participation.
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Türkiye holds a strategic place in Nigeria’s diaspora engagement, recalling that it was the first country to sign a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on diaspora matters with Nigeria. She expressed confidence that the existing relationship would enhance collaboration on migration management.
“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 urged Nigerians living irregularly in Türkiye to take advantage of the programme once operational, assuring that the Commission would work closely with Turkish authorities to guarantee that all reintegration support is delivered as promised.
The NiDCOM boss also reiterated the Federal Government’s stance against irregular migration, warning that increasingly strict global migration policies make undocumented migration more risky and unsustainable.
Describing Türkiye as a compassionate country, Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism that the return process would be handled humanely. She highlighted the positive contributions of Nigerians in Türkiye across sectors such as business, medicine and sports, noting their impact on the host country’s economy.
She also referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Türkiye as a milestone in strengthening bilateral relations, adding that the President engaged directly with Nigerian students during the trip.
Dabiri-Erewa further disclosed that NiDCOM would collaborate with relevant stakeholders, particularly the NCFRMI, to sensitise Nigerians on the opportunities under the reintegration programme, while educating prospective migrants on the dangers of irregular migration.
READ ALSO: NiDCOM Hails Life Sentence for Killer of Two Nigerians in Canada
NiDCOM, San José State University Move to Launch Tech Bridge for Nigerian Youths
“Migration is to leave and seek a better life. But if it is not working, come back home,” she stated.
Both Nigeria and Türkiye reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the welfare and dignity of Nigerians remain central to all migration engagements, with plans to strengthen institutional cooperation and implement outcomes from the bilateral discussions.
About The Author
